King discusses refugee crisis with Canadian delegation

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received a ministerial delegation from Canada and discussed ways for the international community to support Jordan in hosting Syrian refugees, a Royal Court statement said.

At the meeting with Canadian National Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum and Health Minister Jane Philpott, the King highlighted the burdens borne by Jordan in hosting 1.4 million Syrian refugees and providing basic services and relief to them. 

His Majesty commended the Canadian government's support for Jordan, especially within the scope of hosting Syrian refugees to enable it to continue its humanitarian duty towards them.

Talks at the meeting, held at the Royal Court and attended by HRH Prince Feisal, also covered recent regional and international developments, particularly efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

In addition, discussions addressed Jordanian-Canadian relations and the need to build on the outcome of His Majesty's visit to Canada earlier this year to enhance cooperation.

The Canadian ministers commended the King's efforts to enhance bilateral relations and his role in boosting security and stability in the Middle East.

They also lauded Jordan's response to the Syrian crisis despite economic challenges, voicing Canada's support for Jordan in bearing the resulting burdens. 

The Canadian government announced earlier that it intends to host 25,000 Syrian refugees from Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey in coordination with the UNHCR, according to the statement.

King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad and Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Bruno Saccomani attended the meeting. 

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met separately with the delegation and discussed the repercussions of the Syrian crisis, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

At the meeting, attended by Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani, the delegates said Canada will work on receiving 10,000 refugees by the end of December and 15,000 by the end of February 2016.