Jordan, Albania set to defend true Islam, boost ties

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania, on Wednesday received Albanian President Bujar Nishani at Al Husseiniya Palace, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King stressed Jordan's keenness to boost bilateral relations and sustain joint coordination over various international and regional issues.

During bilateral talks followed by expanded discussions attended by senior officials from both countries, His Majesty welcomed the president on his first visit to the Kingdom, stressing the importance of building on the outcome of this visit and on the Royal visit to Albania in May 2015, to develop economic, commercial and cultural cooperation.

The discussions covered cooperation in the fields of tourism, agriculture and ICT.

The two sides discussed sharing Jordanian expertise to develop Albanian human resources and computerising the health sector, copying Jordan’s experience in the “Hakim” programme.

Talks also addressed the developments in the Middle East and the endeavours to enhance security and stability, with the two sides asserting the importance of confronting terrorism in a comprehensive strategy with its ideological and security dimensions.

The two leaders stressed the need to enhance cooperation among Muslim countries to highlight “the true image of Islam”, focusing on the values of moderation and tolerance and renouncing all forms of terrorism and extremism.

On the Syrian crisis, the King and the Albanian president reiterated the need for a political solution that ends the suffering of Syrians and safeguards regional security.

For his part, Nishani said his country recognises Jordan’s “vital role” in regional and international issues, in addition to its security, stability and strategic location.

The King hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the president and the accompanying guests.

Also on Wednesday, Prime Minister Hani Mulki received Nishani and discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, stressing the importance of benefiting from the locations of both countries to boost cooperation. 

Mulki said the government will follow up on the results of the Albanian president’s visit to build on the talks, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also directed Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of State for Investment Affairs Jawad Anani to contact his Albanian counterpart in order to agree on the mechanisms to boost cooperation, and also having an Albanian ministerial delegation visit the Kingdom for that purpose. 

The premier highlighted the importance of working to sign bilateral agreements, including an agreement to prevent double taxation to boost trade between the two countries. 

The Albanian president also visited the Senate and met with its president, Faisal Fayez, who briefed him on the Kingdom’s reform process, Petra reported.

Later on Wednesday, Nishani and his wife visited the King Hussein Business Park and commended the perks it offers to investors.

Representatives of companies from Jordan and Albania attended the meeting, where chairman of the park’s board, Moayad Samman, said the park houses more than 150 companies, 70 of which are international.