Jordan, Poland seek to boost cooperation

WARSAW — The “warm” relationship between Jordan and Poland, described by officials from both countries as “strong and historical”, should be manifested in wider spectrum of cooperation within the coming years. 

The two countries are eager to further boost economic, political, archaeological and cultural ties to serve the interests of both nations, whose affiliations together date back to the establishment of Transjordan in 1921, according to Polish Ambassador in Amman Krzysztof Bojko. 

“I think Jordan can benefit from the Polish economic model, particularly in creating job opportunities for the youth. Our experience in the small-and medium-sized enterprises could be quite interesting for you... I think we can also engage in innovation to boost competitiveness,” said Joanna Wronecka, Poland’s deputy foreign minister earlier this week.

Wronecka , the former EU ambassador to Jordan, made the remarks at a meeting with a Jordanian delegation that was on a visit to Poland upon an invitation from the ministry last week. 

She underlined the importance of increasing exchange of expertise in the fields of military, security, parliamentary and archaeology. 

“The regularity of our contacts is of great importance. We hope to see regular contacts leading to better political reading of the region and thus, better political consultations on the level of foreign affairs ministers,” Wronecka said. 

The official, who is in charge of development assistance, noted that she “sees potential for implementing development projects in Jordan, particularly as the Kingdom is burdened with Syrian refugees. 

Poland has been present in Jordan through supporting development schemes many years before the Syrian crisis, implementing more than 20 projects in the Kingdom, according to the official. 

 “I know that you receive support from different countries, but with the Polish contribution we aim to make a difference… it is true that our development assistance is based on small grants, but I would say that small grant are quite efficient because you can implement them directly and immediately,” she indicated.  

While citing the good contacts with the Jordanian embassy in Berlin, the official, who has served as the EU ambassador in Jordan, expressed her hope that a Jordanian embassy be established in Warsaw.

Thamer Adwan, director of the European Department at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, voiced the Kingdom’s willingness to improve political ties with Poland. 

“Poland for us is a very important country and the experience of Poland with the EU is impressive. We count on the support of Poland to Jordan through the EU,” he said, calling for Poland’s support  in negotiations between the Kingdom and the EU on easing the rules of origin to facilitate the entry of  Jordanian products to the European markets. 

Adwan also talked about the Jordan Compact, an outcome of the London donor conference that lists the commitments of the international community, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks assisting the Kingdom.  

The compact is aimed at turning the challenge of the refugee problem into development gains that would benefit Jordanians and Syrians.

The EU agreed to designate ten areas: five industrial and five development zones, where Syrians are allowed to work, he said. 

“To this end, we invite Polish investors to come to Jordan and explore potential investment opportunities in these zones...we hope in the next three to four months there will be missions coming back and forth to dig for economic opportunities in Jordan,” Adwan said.