King meets NATO secretary general

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, met on Wednesday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.

Discussions at the meeting covered the strategic partnership and military, training, security and counterterrorism cooperation between Jordan and NATO, as well as the latest regional and international developments, according to a Royal Court statement.

In remarks at the top of the meeting, King Abdullah underlined the outstanding relations between Jordan and NATO, commending NATO’s support for the Kingdom in the military field and “with the challenges of COVID”.

“We have had our relationship over the years, as you have mentioned, standing shoulder to shoulder with NATO forces all over the world. That is not going to change,” His Majesty said.

The King commended the partnership between Jordan and NATO, expressing hope that it will allow overcoming challenges collectively as the world begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I can only think of good things going forward between NATO and Jordan,” His Majesty concluded.

For his part, Stoltenberg welcomed King Abdullah, describing him as a “strong and close friend” of the alliance, and he congratulated His Majesty on the Jordanian state’s centennial.

Addressing His Majesty, Stoltenberg said, “You are an old friend, a good friend, a highly valued friend of this alliance”.

“Jordan is a very close and important partner of NATO. We have worked together for many, many years. Our forces have served together side by side. So we really value the many contributions Jordan is making to different NATO missions and operations,” he added.

Secretary General Stoltenberg noted that NATO provides support for Jordan to improve border security, and has also provided Jordan with support to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Allies have also decided to step up and deliver some more personal protective equipment and also some ventilators to further step up the support for Jordan,” he added.

“You have always been a source for stability in the region,” the secretary general said, adding that NATO looks to bolster its partnership with Jordan.

“We also think it’s extremely important that Jordan and NATO allies have been working side by side in the efforts to fight global terrorism. We have made enormous progress in the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh and we welcome the fact that we are further strengthening our cooperation,” he added.

“I look forward to our discussions later here today and also to listen to your assessments, analysis of the challenges you face in the region, because your understanding, your knowledge about the region is something we really appreciate here at NATO,” Secretary General Stoltenberg said.

At the meeting, His Majesty commended NATO’s key role in maintaining peace and security across the world.

Discussions also covered the importance of maintaining coordination on issues of mutual concern, and efforts to reach political solutions to regional crises, as well as international efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and counter terrorism within a holistic approach.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Adviser to His Majesty for Policies Haifa Khraisha, and Jordan’s Ambassador in Belgium Saja Majali attended the meeting.