King meets with Canadian defence minister

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the military and security fields.

The meeting also covered US decisions to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the US embassy to the occupied city and, their impact on the security and stability of the region and efforts to achieve peace, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King and the minister also reviewed efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic strategy, stressing the importance of intensifying regional and international counter-terror efforts.

In an interview with The Jordan Times on Sunday, Sajjan said that Canada will support the construction and revampring of a road along Jordan’s northern border with Syria.

“A road will be constructed [along Jordan’s northern borders with Syria] and we will be providing support for that…,” Sajjan said.

The road will have a “very important security role” by providing faster and more effective response in moving and mobilising vehicles, he said, noting that it is part of Canada’s cooperation with Jordan.

Sajjan, who concluded his two-day official visit to the Kingdom on Sunday also met Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Hani Mulki and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lieutenant General Mahmoud Freihat.

The minister said that he held discussions on various topics during his meeting with King Abdullah and senior Jordanian officials, including military cooperation.

His visit also aimed at discussing the evolving nature of the Daesh threat, as well as mutual defence and security challenges, according to a statement issued by the Canadian embassy in Amman.

Noting that Canada and Jordan are working together on counter-terrorism, Sajjan highlighted that his country is also exploring ways to provide resources that can make the peacekeeping system “even better”.

He expressed his country’s willingness to support Jordan, stressing the fact that the Kingdom “plays a very important role in regional stability”.

Sajjan also held a roundtable with representatives from Jordanian think tanks and universities to gain a better understanding of complex regional issues related to defence, security and humanitarian efforts, according to the embassy’s statement.

Jordan is the first stop on the minister’s travels across the Middle East, where he hopes to further Canada’s defence relationship with its partners and visit troops serving in the region, the statement said.

Between 2016 and 2019, Canada has been investing $2billion to enhance regional security and stabilisation, provide vital humanitarian assistance to those in need, help host communities build resilience and increase Canada’s diplomatic engagement in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, the statement concluded.