Jordan, Qatar agree to boost ties, continue coordination of stands

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday underlined their commitment to boosting cooperation at all levels to serve the interests of the two countries and Arab causes. 

During a meeting, the two leaders stressed the need to continue coordinating stands and consultations vis-à-vis regional and Arab issues, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Middle East.

The meeting, which continued over a lunch banquet held in honour of the Qatari emir, was attended by HRH Prince Ali, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, King’s Office Director Imad Fakhoury and King’s Adviser and Rapporteur of the National Policies Council Abdullah Saleh Wreikat. 

This was the first time Sheikh Tamim has visited the Kingdom after he rose to power in the Gulf state last year.

Upon his arrival, he remarked that the visit would enable him to exchange views with the Monarch on issues related to Arab and Islamic causes, particularly in light of the “critical” situation and huge challenges facing the Arab nation.

The visit came after Doha’s ties with three other Gulf monarchies, namely, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, were strained over bilateral and regional files.

Arab leaders were encouraged in their just-concluded summit in Kuwait to work for mending fences between their states and cast off differences.

Jordan has maintained a neutral “non-interference” stand on the Gulf crisis.

The commercial sector welcomed the visit of the emir.

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Jordan Chamber of Commerce President Nael Kabariti said the visit is prone to boost the economic relations between the two countries. 

He described Qatari investments as very important to Jordan, pointing out that they have created a considerable number of job opportunities for Jordanians. 

Kabariti highlighted continued contacts and coordination between the representatives of the Jordanian and Qatari private sector, noting that Doha’s economic assistance to Amman is significant as far as national economy is concerned.