Day: April 27, 2022

Categories
Judicial

King reaffirms Jordan’s full support for steadfastness of Palestinians

His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Al Husseiniya Palace and reaffirmed Jordan’s full support for the Palestinians’ steadfastness and their efforts to gain their just and legitimate rights.

During the meeting, King Abdullah stressed the need to step up efforts towards reaching just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty called for working closely with active states and the international community to restore calm in the holy city, and to prevent a repeat of the violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites, and against the people of Jerusalem.

The King said Jordan has stepped up its coordination with all regional and international partners to end the escalations that followed violations against Al Aqsa Mosque, stressing that impeding Muslim worshippers’ access in Jerusalem and restricting the movement of Christians as they celebrate their religious occasions is unacceptable.

In addition, His Majesty reaffirmed his rejection of any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo in Al Haram Al Sharif, stressing that Jordan continues its efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The meeting also covered the outcomes of the trilateral meeting held at the beginning of this week in Cairo, which brought together the King, the Egyptian president, and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and addressed the latest developments with regards to the Palestinian cause.

For his part, President Abbas commended His Majesty’s efforts and intensive communications with leaders of friendly and brotherly countries in a bid to stop the latest Israeli escalations in Jerusalem.

Abbas also expressed appreciation of Jordan’s position in support of the steadfastness of the Palestinians, preserving the identity of the holy city, and safeguarding its holy sites, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, and a number of senior Palestinian officials attended the meeting.

His Majesty hosted an iftar in honour of President Abbas and the accompanying Palestinian delegation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Judicial

Court sentences former JPMC chairman to 18-year term, JD191mln fine

An anti-corruption judicial commission at the Amman Court of First Instance on Wednesday sentenced Walid al-Kurdi, former board chairman and CEO of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), to 18 years in prison and a hefty fine of JD191 million.

Al-Kurdi received the sentences after the court found him guilty of misuse of office. With regard to the fine, the court said it is proportionate to the value of the damage Al-Kurdi’s corruption and misuse of office inflicted on the company.

Another four JPMC directors were also sentenced to 3-month terms and a fine of JD1,000 each on the charge of negligence. The sentences remain open to appeal before a higher court.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Fashion

Jordan, Thailand ink cultural cooperation agreement

Jordan and Thailand Wednesday signed an agreement to implement a programme of cultural and art cooperation and exchange for the years 2022-2026.

In the signing ceremony, which was held virtually via “Zoom,” Jordan’s Culture Minister Haifa Najjar lauded the “deep-rooted” ties and friendship between Jordan and Thailand that extend for over 55 years.

She said that Jordan is keen to further develop its cultural ties with Thailand, especially since the two countries share “many common values.”

In the ceremony, which saw the participation of Thailand’s Chargé d’Affairs in Amman, Chawadol Nipathannont, and Jordan’s non-resident ambassador to Thailand, Thamer Adwan, Najjar expressed that she looks forward to more cultural exposure between the peoples of both countries.

She noted that Jordan is open to diversity and holds a respect for other peoples’ cultures, especially that of Thailand, “which enjoys a deeply-rooted history.”

She said that Jordan has weathered many challenges and enjoys diversity, critical thinking and capabilities, pointing out that the Ministry is keen to partner up with its Thai peer and work on creative and visual arts.

Najjar also talked about the fallout and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted cultural activities and programmes, pointing out that the Ministry of Culture turned these challenges into opportunities by making use of technology, remote communication and proposing community activities for families.

She expressed her hope that the ministries of culture in both countries would develop a cultural exchange programme to encourage participation in conferences, seminars, training and the exchange of visits to enhance cultural exchange.

Najjar invited the Thai Ministry of Culture to participate in the upcoming 36th Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts and the festive activities of Irbid, the Arab capital of culture.

For his part, the Thai Minister of Culture, Itthiphol Kunplome, said he was happy at the signing programme agreement, saying it will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially culture.

Kunplome pointed out that the programme will contribute to developing ways of cooperation in the fields of visual arts, exhibitions, filmmaking, musical and lyrical arts, food and fashion arts, participation in various festivals and holding various cultural and artistic events.

He talked about the photo exhibition, which contained photographic panels that viewed the bilateral relations between the two countries over 55 years of diplomatic relations.

Ambassador Thamer Adwan said the signing of the agreement was part of the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, pointing out that the agreement represents a turning point in cultural relations.

In turn, Chargé d’Affairs of the Embassy of Thailand in Jordan, Chawadol Nipathannont, expressed his happiness on behalf of his country on the occasion of signing the agreement, adding that strengthening cooperation in cultural fields will contribute to expanding relations between the two countries to greater levels.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Fashion

Culture minister, Pakistani envoy talk relations

Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar and Pakistan’s Ambassador Sajjad Ali Khan on Tuesday discussed means of advancing cultural exchange to magnify commonalities between the two countries.

According to a ministry statement on Wednesday, Najjar said that Jordan is steadfast in an area full of conflicts thanks to its wise Hashemite leadership, pride in its history, its belief in opening to the world’s cultures, and maintaining its identity, values and culture.

Jordan is a “safe haven” for refugees, she said, adding that the Kingdom takes pride in their existence and gives them a share of health and education services to live a decent life.

Najjar invited the envoy to the Jerash Festival, and to celebrate Irbid being chosen as the Arab capital of culture. She noted that Pakistani art, music and folklore heritage are widely popular among the Jordanians.

For his part, Khan commended the deep-rooted Jordanian-Pakistani ties and his country’s commitment to bolstering them in cultural fields; mainly after signing a cultural cooperation deal.

The first-ever cultural cooperation agreement between the two nations dates back to 1962, f

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Government Policy

Princess Basma Bint Ali named FAO Goodwill Ambassador

Princess Basma bint Ali, founder of the Royal Botanic Garden (RBG), was on Wednesday named a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Goodwill Ambassador for Near East and North Africa, in recognition of her active role in caring for the native flora of Jordan and nature conservation.

In a ceremony held to confer the title, Princess Basma said this step confirms Jordan’s prestigious position , under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership, at international forums in various political, economic and development fields.

“We are concerned with maximizing achievements in the agricultural sector and the environment and working to coordinate relations and exchange expertise locally, regionally and internationally to serve people and secure their needs by achieving food security and conserving nature,” she said.

Jordan, she noted, has made “remarkable” achievements in the field of agriculture, nature conservation and plant propagation, as a top development priority.

Princess Basma also pointed to the interest in flora-based scientific research by academic and research institutions to conserve diversity and increase productivity, and work to protect national capabilities for future generations.

For his part, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, lauded the Kingdom’s “advanced” level in the agricultural sector aimed to ensure food security, adding that Princess Basma’s selection confirms Jordan’s “high” position in this field.

In addition, Assaf expressed aspiration for more joint cooperation with Jordan to secure food security at the regional and international levels.

Source: Jordan News Agency