Jordan looks to boost cooperation with Cyprus

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said Jordan wants to explore opportunities to strengthen its economic relations with Cyprus.

The King made the remark as he and Her Majesty Queen Rania received Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and his wife, currently on an official visit to the Kingdom, according to a Royal Court statement.

During broader talks with the Cypriot president, which were preceded by a one-on-one meeting, the King said: "It is a great honour for us to welcome you to Jordan to express the tremendous and warm relations we have between our two countries, celebrating 53 years of relations between our peoples. This is a relationship we treasure with tremendous pride."

In his welcoming address, His Majesty expressed his appreciation of Cyprus’ stance in support of Jordan, through its membership in the EU.

“I look forward to this discussion today that is going to continue to cement the relations on all levels.”

Underscoring the distinguished relations between Cyprus and Jordan at the political level, King Abdullah stressed his commitment to strengthening economic relations to reach advanced levels.

“I think this is a warm and family relationship that we are all treasuring, and I am very delighted to have you and your delegation here in Jordan,” the King told the Cypriot president.

Anastasiades expressed his gratitude for the official invitation to visit Jordan, describing the visit as “a proof of our mutual determination... to exchange useful ideas of further promoting and expanding our excellent relationship”.

“It will also provide us [with] the opportunity to discuss the situation in our region, since we are both concerned... We both form part of the wider Middle East, and we both have a great stake in the stability in our geographic area, and we both as well share the common objective of creating conditions conducive to lasting peace and stability and development in the region and beyond,” he said.

The president noted that “the fact that the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is providing shelter and adequate living conditions to more than 1.2 million refugees is an act of collective social and humanitarian consciousness that deserves due international merit and applause”.

Anastasiades added that Jordan “can count on our support in the efforts to effectively manage the deepening humanitarian crisis. We stand ready to convey at tomorrow’s informal European summit, to be held in Malta, Jordan’s important views and positions as regards to this issue”.

“Jordan has a special place both in our heart but as well as in our external policy. You can consider Cyprus as one of your ambassadors in the European Union,” the Cypriot leader added.

Talks during the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, covered means to strengthen bilateral ties.

The two sides discussed increasing cooperation in the fields of solar and renewable energy and the possibility of Jordan benefiting from the natural gas which has been recently discovered in Cypriot waters, which is expected to be extracted in the coming years.

Talks also addressed the burdens borne by the Kingdom as a result of hosting Syrian refugees and the intensified international efforts needed in this regard.

In addition, Jordanian and Cypriot officials reviewed chances to benefit from the opportunities offered by Jordan’s investment climate, urging businesspeople from both countries to clinch partnerships to foster economic cooperation.

Moreover, discussions addressed regional developments, mainly counter-terrorism efforts and the crisis in Syria.

Also on Wednesday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met separately with Anastasiades and exchanged views on means to boost Jordanian-Cypriot relations, the latest regional developments pertaining to the Palestinian cause and the crisis in Syria, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

At the meeting, attended by Jordanian and Cypriot ministers and officials, the premier welcomed the president, stressing the Kingdom’s desire to strengthen its cooperation with Cyprus in economy, commerce, tourism and energy.

Ensour said both countries share the same views regarding the Palestinian cause, the crisis in Syria and the war on terrorism.

Anastasiades underscored the two countries’ joint commitment to boosting cooperation.

At a joint press conference, Ensour highlighted King Abdullah’s meeting with the Cypriot president.

Discussions addressed ways to increase cooperation, especially in the fields of tourism, commerce and culture, he told reporters.

The two governments will work, in accordance with the directives of His Majesty and the Cypriot president, to implement what was agreed on during their talks, in terms of developing joint cooperation, Ensour said.

Anastasiades said the two countries expressed their mutual commitment to expanding cooperation, highlighting the great potential to achieve this goal.

The Cypriot president invited officials and ministers of both countries to intensify their meetings to explore chances to build stronger cooperation.