Day: February 22, 2023

Amman: Minister of Youth, Mohammad Nabulsi, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Sherry Carlin, on Wednesday discussed ways to enhance partnership and cooperation in the youth field, programs and projects, co-worker capacity building and infrastructure development.

During the meeting, Nabulsi said empowering youth, providing safe and supportive spaces to them and backing youth co-workers are among the ministry’s priorities.

Nabulsi also reviewed empowerment programs under the executive plan of National Youth Strategy, which would develop youth skills, build their capacities and enhance their participation in public life.

In addition, Nabulsi drew attention to progress on joint projects with USAID aimed to developing the ministry’s monitoring and evaluation units, referring to plans to launching Youth Leadership Preparation Center to provide youth and sports programs and services.

He valued partnership with the USAID, expressing aspiration to strengthening joint youth projects and programs.

For her part, Carlin said USAID programs stimulate youth participation in the economy and public life, which is a “key” factor for stability.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday received Canada Senate Speaker George Furey.

King Abdullah expressed pride in the deep-rooted ties of friendship between Jordan and Canada, stressing the need to continue coordination between the two countries on issues of mutual concern, and expressing keenness to expand cooperation in various fields.

The meeting covered the latest developments and efforts to reach political solutions to crises in the region, in addition to regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach.

Senate President Faisal Fayez and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Senate President Faisal Fayez on Wednesday met with Speaker of the Senate of Canada George Furey to discuss ties, a number of Middle East issues and ways to serve common interests.

During the meeting, Fayez stressed the deep-rooted and historical Jordanian-Canadian relations, which are based on mutual respect, in addition to serving common causes and the interests of the two countries’ peoples.

On regional issues and challenges, Fayez said Jordan is facing economic difficulties due to the rapidly evolving situation in the region, the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukrainian war and hosting more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees, which has pressured the vital sectors and the infrastructure.

He pointed to the Kingdom’s reform efforts in the political, economic and administrative areas, lauding Canada’s support for Jordan, especially in the education, technical development and renewable energy sectors. He stressed the importance of upping Canadian investments in Jordan as well as trade exchange, calling for facilitating the work of Jordanians in the Canadian labor market.

For his part, Furey lauded Jordan’s major efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, to bring peace to the region and restore security and stability, stressing that Jordan plays a key role in various regional issues, stressing that his country supports King Abdullah’s efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, and in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The government will restructure the Ministry of Labor rather than abolish it, according to Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, after receiving a recommendation from a national dialogue involving multiple stakeholders that was led by the Economic and Social Council.

The council had launched the multi-stakeholder dialogue after it was recommended in the Public Sector Modernization Roadmap to abolish the ministry.

The responses to the Council’s nationwide dialogue initiative made it abundantly clear that the vast majority of citizens do not think it is wise or effective to get rid of the Ministry of Labor, the prime minister told a Lower House meeting on Wednesday.

According to Kasawneh, suggestions made for the public sector modernization roadmap are open to public debate, review, modification, and correction if needed.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Japanese Ambassador to Amman Okuyama Jiro affirmed that Japan seeks to expand regional cooperation with Jordan to contribute to achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.

The envoy made his remarks during a ceremony at the Japanese embassy in Amman Tuesday evening celebrating Japan’s national day, and highlighted that 2024 will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jordan.

In his speech held in the presence of a number of ministers, officials, diplomats, journalists, and guests, he indicated that some Japanese multinational companies are covering their regional business from their offices in Amman, adding that in August 2020, the “Agreement between Japan and Jordan for the Promotion and Protection of Investment” took effect.

“We are keen to extend further cooperation in a manner consistent with new global targets such as green transition and sustainable development including care for the vulnerable groups, women’s empowerment, and gender equality,” the ambassador stressed.

The official also praised the Kingdom’s humanitarian role in receiving and sheltering refugees and providing necessary services to them, pointing to the Japanese support to Jordan in this field.

Speaking on the Palestinian issue, he stated “we started providing assistance to UNRWA in 1953, even before Japan became a member of the United Nations, and this year marks the 70th anniversary of its ties with UNRWA. We strongly support the two-state solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law.”

During the ceremony, Minister of Culture Haifaa Al Najjar said that “there are striking similarities between Jordan and Japan, as each of us represents a story of renaissance and work for peace.”

The minister also hailed bilateral relations and joint cooperation in various domains.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane on Wednesday received a Jordanian ministerial delegation, which included the ministers of industry, trade and supply, labor, tourism and antiquities, energy and mineral resources, agriculture, health and investment, before the delegation headed back home later in the day.

The two sides expressed commitment to advancing cooperation as well as optimism about an Algerian-Jordanian road map to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation for 2023-2025, which was the fruit of the 2-day visit. The new roadmap came as a result of a royal visit to Algeria in December 2022.

Under the agreement, the two sides will, in the short- and long-term, implement mechanisms of bilateral cooperation, foremost of which is the preparations for the ninth session of the Algerian-Jordanian joint committee scheduled to be held in Amman next June, in addition to strengthening the legal framework for bilateral cooperation and strengthening the role of sectoral technical committees and joint working teams.

The map also aims to increase trade exchanges and raise the volume of intra-investments, activating cooperation, trade and investment agreements, activating the businessmen council, exchanging information on investment opportunities and foreign trade in the two countries, holding meetings and exchanging visits to discuss and encourage cooperation and partnership opportunities available in Algeria and Jordan. Moreover, an Algerian products exhibition will be held in Jordan this year, and agreements for industrial zone rehabilitation will be activated.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply and Minister of Labor Yousef Shamali, who headed the delegation, said two-way trade, investments, and cooperation in energy, health, agriculture, and tourism will be boosted thanks to the scheme.

He also met with Algerian Transport Minister Kamel Beldjoud and agreed on final preparations to operate a Jordanian-Algerian direct flight route as of March 9.

Shamali discussed arrangements with the Algerian Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security Youcef Chorfa a number of issues related to labor and social security, including arrangements to receive Algerian patients for treatment in six Jordanian hospitals, a process that will be fast-tracked by the new flights.

Jordanian and Algerian ministers also held talks covering cooperation in tourism, agriculture, health, energy, and investment and expressed commitment to exchanging visits and expertise.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Kigali: Foreign minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi Wednesday conveyed a letter from His Majesty King Abdullah to the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, on cooperation.

President Kagame sent greetings to King Abdullah and reiterated his country’s interest in strengthening the growing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting came on the heels of a round of strategic discussions that Safadi held with Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta.

The strategic discussions dealt with cooperation in trade, tourism, health, education and infrastructure and finding the necessary legal frameworks to encourage private-sector cooperation between the two countries.

They explored defence cooperation and the efforts to combat terrorism.

Safadi and his Rwandan counterpart signed three cooperation agreements and memos in political consultations, higher education, scientific research and visa exemption for diplomatic, service and private passport holders.

They agreed to take measures to cancel entry visas for citizens of the two countries to increase trade cooperation and meetings between business sectors and encourage tourism.

In a press conference after the strategic discussions, the two ministers affirmed that cooperation between the two countries is progressing “effectively” after a meeting between King Abdullah and Kagame in Amman last March.

The two ministers discussed the “promising” areas of cooperation and confirmed the continuation of coordination in their joint efforts to combat terrorism.

Safadi said, “Jordan is keen to develop the relationship with Rwanda and build on the results of the meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah II and President Paul Kagame.”

Biruta said, “The two countries’ governments have established strong and friendly ties, which today’s fruitful discussions reinforced.”

“The talks held by Jordanian and Rwandan officials at various levels reaffirmed the mutual commitment to strengthening and advancing bilateral relations and cooperation at all levels,” Biruta added.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: A Jordanian parliamentary delegation Wednesday met in Algiers with the Algerian Minister of Health, Abdel-Haq Sayhi, on health cooperation.

The head of the delegation, Mejhim Sqour, said Jordan and Algeria seek to develop relations to achieve further development and prosperity for the two countries, noting the “importance” of expanding cooperation in health and medical tourism.

Sqour added that the Jordan-Algeria ties are “strategic” and that Jordan has been investing in the pharmaceutical industries in Algeria since the 1990s, adding that the volume of investment in pharmaceuticals stood at USD 500 million.

Jordanian pharmaceutical industries have reached 70 countries, including the EU and the US.

Saihi commended the “distinguished” ties between the two countries and Jordan’s development in health, noting that Algeria has a firm desire to overcome obstacles to investment, especially in health and to expand cooperation in this “strategic” area.

Source: Jordan News Agency