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AMMAN — The State Security Court on Monday listened to three witnesses in the so-called Salt terrorist cell, which claimed the lives of six security personnel in August last year, before adjourning the hearing for next Monday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Thirteen defendants face charges of manufacturing, possessing and using weapons and explosives in terrorist acts that led to the death of people.

A 14th defendant, facing the same charges, is being tried in absentia. In another case, a 30-year-old man was sentenced to 10-year prison term on charges related to plotting to carry out terrorist attacks and trying to join terrorist organisations and armed groups, according to Petra.

AMMAN — The Kingdom is close to achieving comprehensive health coverage through the available elements and components under way, Health Minister Ghazi Zaben said on Monday.

During a meeting with doctors who received the Jordan Medical Council certificate in the February course, Zaben said that specialist doctors are the main pillars for achieving comprehensive health coverage in partnership with all relevant health sectors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He added that the ministry is exerting efforts to improve the work environment at the financial and moral levels alike.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras agreed during their trilateral summit on Sunday at Al Husseiniya Palace to expand cooperation between the three countries in vital sectors,  including energy, water, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, trade, investment and ICT.

The three countries also agreed to encourage their respective private sectors to establish joint projects that capitalise on available trade opportunities, while bolstering expertise and knowledge exchange, a Royal Court statement said.

At the conclusion of the second trilateral summit, which was attended by senior officials from the three countries, a declaration was released outlining the outcomes of the talks (read full declaration). 

Jordan, Cyprus and Greece affirmed the importance of maintaining coordination on issues of mutual concern, in service of common interests and with the aim of achieving peace and bolstering security and stability in the region, according to the statement.

The trilateral summit reaffirmed support for King Abdullah’s efforts, as Hashemite custodian, to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and preserve the legal and historical status quo in the city.

In addition, the summit covered the peace process, reiterating support for a comprehensive, just, lasting and negotiated solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution, international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel.

In remarks at the first round of the trilateral summit, His Majesty welcomed Anastasiades and Tsipras, noting that since last year’s first trilateral summit, the partnership has moved in the right direction, according to the statement.

The second summit, the King said, is an opportunity to move beyond the political relationship to cover economic, security and cultural ties.

His Majesty voiced hope that the joint business forum, held in parallel to the summit with the participation of business leaders from the three countries, would prove successful (see story on page 3).

The King noted renewable energy, agriculture, tourism and transport as some key sectors for cooperation.

His Majesty highlighted the role of Cyprus and Greece in overcoming regional challenges, noting efforts to move forward on the two-state solution and the peace process, as well as addressing challenges in Iraq and Syria.

The King also pointed to Cyprus’ and Greece’s support for Jordan’s efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

“This is something that is close to all our hearts,” His Majesty said, commending the important role of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Jordan.

Thanking the King for the hospitality, President Anastasiades said the meeting “reflects the importance we attach to further expanding and deepening our synergies to the benefit of our countries, our peoples in the region as a whole”.

“The signing of the memoranda of understanding in the field of education, and between our respective investment promotion agencies, as well as the first trilateral business forum taking place today, constitute important developments in fully exploring the important opportunities between our countries”, the Cypriot president added.

“I believe that the decision we have taken to establish a permanent secretariat in Cyprus will serve the further development of our trilateral mechanism, with the aim of ensuring that both its potential and momentum are fully exploited and utilised,” he said.

Anastasiades said the three countries share a common belief in the need to achieve political solutions to regional crises in accordance with international law, “and in full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of states, as well as of good neighbourly relations”.

The three countries also share the same position that addressing the effect of the refugee crisis and migration flow requires solidarity and responsibility sharing, he noted.

“In this respect, I wish to assure Your Majesty that we will continue working with our EU partners so that Jordan is supported both politically and economically in addressing the consequences of the refugee crisis, and the heavy burden this places on its economy, structure, and society,” Anastasiades said.

“In parallel, we will continue to actively advocate for the strengthening of EU-Jordan relations, including engaging more on regional and foreign policy issues,” he added.

President Anastasiades also spoke about the latest efforts to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem to reach a lasting solution, the statement added.

For his part, the Greek prime minister said the summit “highlights the determination to strengthen our partnership with a strategic perspective for the region”.

“Jordan is a country with which we have strong historical and cultural ties. Jordan is a country that constitutes one of the most important forces of stability in the region as well as of peace and coexistence in our broader region,” he added.

Greece and Cyprus, as “frontline EU countries in the region”, realise that “challenges that have to do with security or refugee flows in the Middle East are challenges for Europe as a whole”, Prime Minister Tsipras added.

“Your crucial role in Syria, and your crucial role in supporting Syrian people; your crucial role in the Middle East peace process, and your role as custodian of the Islamic and Christian shrines in Jerusalem; or your role in confronting terrorist networks and extremism — it is very important for global and regional developments,” he said, addressing His Majesty.

Tsipras said Greece will increase coordination to strengthen EU-Jordan relations and “to support peace in Syria, and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine living in peace, based on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine”.

Noting the potential for business and economic cooperation between the three countries, Tsipras said the business forum held on the sidelines of the summit offers an opportunity to bolster cooperation in construction, energy, tourism, education and ICT.

Meanwhile, discussions at the trilateral summit’s second round covered means to advance economic cooperation, and also addressed the outcomes of the first summit.

The third round covered developments in the Middle East and the importance of achieving peace and stability in the region.

Regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach were also discussed.

Moreover, His Majesty, Anastasiades and Tsipras witnessed the signing of two trilateral memoranda of understanding on cooperation in investment and education.

Earlier on Sunday, the King held bilateral and expanded talks with Anastasiades on the means to enhance cooperation and partnership between Jordan and Cyprus, as well as regional developments, according to the Royal Court.

His Majesty and the Cypriot president, in the presence of the Greek prime minister, witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement between Jordan and Cyprus on cooperation in fighting terrorism, organised crime, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors, illegal migration and other criminal offences.

A memorandum of understanding between Jordan and Cyprus on research and technology was also signed.

Also on Sunday, the King held bilateral and expanded talks with Greek Prime Minister Tsipras, which covered opportunities for further cooperation and regional issues, the statement said.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah received Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Alhakim at Al Husseiniya Palace on Sunday and discussed “the strong ties” between Jordan and Iraq.

King Abdullah affirmed keenness to advance cooperation with Iraq and build on the outcomes of the trilateral summit between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, a Royal Court statement said.

Discussions covered the importance of maintaining coordination between Jordan and Iraq on various issues.

His Majesty also stressed Jordan’s support for Iraq’s efforts to bolster its security and stability, while fulfilling the aspirations of its people towards further prosperity and progress, according to the statement.

The King asked Hakim to convey his greetings to President Barham Saleh and Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas and Iraq’s Ambassador to Jordan Safia Al Suhail attended the meeting, the statement added.

While in Amman, the Iraqi foreign minister also participated in the third coordination meeting between Jordan, Cyprus and Greece held by the three countries’ foreign ministers ahead of their second trilateral summit. 

The foreign ministers of the four countries agreed to meet in Baghdad in the near future, the statement said.

AMMAN — Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Hidenao Yanagi visited the Azraq refugee camp on Sunday to inaugurate the start of a Japanese funding programme for a reproductive health clinic that is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“The clinic in Azraq provides safe, quality care to women in the camp so that they and their families can experience better health. It sets the standard so that women demand quality care,” said UNFPA Jordan Representative Laila Baker.

It is one of many initiatives supported by Japan to further Jordan’s resilience in providing for Syrian refugees under the Jordan Response Plan, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

Since 2014, UNFPA has been supporting three reproductive health clinics in Azraq refugee camp. Around 8,000 women and girls of childbearing age depend on these clinics to access services, the statement explained.

Yanagi expressed his appreciation for the generosity and readiness of the government and people of Jordan in receiving massive numbers of refugees.

He added that realising universal health coverage is one of the priorities of Japanese diplomacy and that it is critically important to ensure universal access of comprehensive reproductive health services.

“Refugees residing in camps are extremely vulnerable, and women and girls, in particular, are facing a number of challenges, such as lack of medical care and a high risk of gender-based violence,” said Yanagi.

Baker also reiterated the importance of supporting women’s reproductive health and rights through the work of the clinic and its managing partner, the International Rescue Committee.

“Too often, women and girls are seen as ‘peripheral’ to the health of a family,” Baker underlined.

The joint efforts, within the clinic and beyond, Baker explained, especially focuses on the prevention of maternal death and ending gender-based violence.

The facilities supported by Japan and the UNFPA provide a variety of services to women and girls.

These services include individual and couple’s family planning counselling, antenatal care, postnatal care, management of the immediate consequences of sexual violence, post-abortion care, as well as referral services to a network of affiliated hospitals inside and outside the camp.

AMMAN — The 2019 Jordan survey for Non-Communicable Disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS-wise) was launched on Sunday to support Jordan's efforts to improve Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) outcomes.

According to a statement from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Jordan Country Office, the survey also aims also at advancing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Jordan.

" The 2019 Jordan STEPS reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Health and its partners to address the growing incidence NCDs among Jordanians and Syrian refugees," the statement said.

Funded by the USAID and in close collaboration with University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS), the WHO supports the Ministry of Health in conducting STEPS survey, "a standardized method, applied in more than 100 countries, for collecting, analysing and disseminating data related to NCDs risk factors. "

"A fundamental precondition to design NCD responses lies in the reliable and systematic identification and measurement of NCDs risk factors. The risk factors of today are the diseases of tomorrow", the statement said.

"In line with global trends, NCDs – which include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes – account for 78 per cent of all deaths in Jordan. Among conditions in this category, cardiovascular diseases have been estimated as the leading cause of mortality 37 per cent, followed by cancers 12 per cent, diabetes 6 per cent, and chronic respiratory diseases 3 per cent," according to the statement.

According to WHO, most of these conditions can be prevented by addressing key risk factors, especially tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and alcohol.

The last STEPS survey took place in 2007, the statement said, adding that,  by conducting the 2019 STEPS survey, the Ministry of Health will monitoring systematically the NCD risk factors nation-wide for both Jordanians and Syrian refugees, tracking risk factor trends, determining public health priorities and informing the development of preventive health strategies on the basis of evidence and fresh data.

AMMAN — HRH Princess Dina Mired on Sunday honoured the winners of the Tobacco-Free Jordan art contest 2019. Themed “Smoking Risks-Together Towards Quitting Smoking”, the competition was divided into two categories: firs to fifth grades and sixth to 10th grades.

Ruba Dabous, a pupil at Anjarah Primary School, was nominated the winner of the first category’s award, amounting to JD500, while the first place of the second category went to Barah Awad from Safieh Bint Abdul Mutaleb School.

Under the patronage of Education Minister Walid Maani, HRH Princess Dina handed certificates of appreciation to the winners in a ceremony held at the Abdul Hamid Shoman Foundation.

The best 10 works have also been honoured and awarded JD50, according to a Tobacco-Free Jordan statement sent to the Jordan Times.

AMMAN — The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) and the Jordan Islamic Bank on Sunday signed two loan agreements worth approximately JD334 million.

The loans will be given to NEPCO on a purchase order basis, referred to in Sharia law as the “murabaha” standard, according to a statement sent by NEPCO.

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, NEPCO CEO Amjad Rawashdeh said the loans were given with concessional conditions and a competitive interest rate. He added that the first loan was worth JD227.5 million, while the second was worth $150 million.

Rawashdeh expressed his pride in the strategic partnership, saying that the bank has “provided NEPCO with financial solutions that have allowed it to continue its path in service of Jordanians and the local economy”.

Jordan Islamic Bank CEO Mousa Shehadeh said that the two agreements affirmed the bank’s “continuous role in managing the financial operations of the biggest national institutions from various sectors, in accordance with Islamic financing and investment methods”.

“The loans are a testament to the Jordan Islamic Bank’s fulfilment of its responsibilities towards the national economy and its institutions, which have a tangible effect on the community and the development of the Jordanian economy,” Shehadeh reiterated.

The agreements were signed by Rawashdeh and Shehadeh. Officials from both institutions also attended the ceremony.

AMMAN — The Public Security Department (PSD) on Sunday urged Jordanians to support a campaign aimed at collecting 1 million signatures and condemning narcotics and festive firing.

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the PSD urged citizens to take a stand against narcotics and festive firing, citing their “negative implications on the safety and security of people”.

The campaign calls for public participation in efforts to combat narcotics and prevent people from falling victim to addiction, as well as foil the endeavours of dealers and distributors. The petition also seeks to collect signatures condemning celebratory gunfire.

“The aim is to cultivate a sense of social responsibility towards the need to take a stand against these phenomena, raising awareness of them and eventually eliminating them,” a PSD statement said.

The PSD called on citizens to contribute to the campaign, implemented by its public relations and media department with the support of Community Police patrols across the Kingdom, “to send a clear message that counters the use, promotion and dealing of drugs, and one which memorialises the innocents whose lives were taken by reckless firing of guns,” Petra reported.

“The campaign was built on the foundation of duty towards the community, which requires citizens to spare no effort in helping the community and its members, by protecting them from the dangers of the practices in question,” the PSD said.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a May Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to eight years in prison after convicting him of molesting a child in February of 2018.

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of molesting an 11-year-old girl on February 11, in an Amman neighbourhood and handed him the maximum punishment.

Court papers said on the day of the incident, the defendant spotted the girl walking in the street and asked her to help him write an address on a piece of paper claiming he did not know how to read or write.

”The victim agreed and started writing what he told her but was surprised by the defendant who approached her from behind and started undressing her,” court documents said.

The defendant “then touched the victim’s private parts but she started screaming and ran away”, according to court transcripts.

”The victim notified her family and they filed a complaint against the defendant and he was arrested,” the court verdict added.

The defendant, through his lawyer, contested the court’s ruling arguing that the “court did not follow proper legal proceedings”.

However, the higher court ruled that the Criminal Court followed the proper procedures and that the defendant deserved the verdict he received.

The Court of Cassation judges were Mohammad Ibrahim, Naji Zu’bi, Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat and Hamad Ghzawi.