Jordan, Canada ‘keen to expand partnership in various fields’

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday reviewed bilateral ties and the latest developments in the Middle East.

They highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in various fields, with His Majesty voicing his appreciation for the support Canada offers to help the Kingdom implement several development projects, according to a Royal Court statement.

Talks also went over the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. King Abdullah stressed the need to intensify efforts aimed at reaching a just, sustainable peace based on the two-state solution, which leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.  

The King and the Canadian minister also discussed regional crises and endeavours to work out political solutions to these conflicts, as well as regional and international efforts in the war against terrorism within a holistic approach.

For her part, Freeland voiced Ottawa’s keenness to further boost Jordanian-Canadian friendship ties and continue coordination and consultation over issues of mutual interest, expressing her country’s appreciation for the humanitarian role the Kingdom plays as a host of Syrian refugees. 

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas and Canadian Ambassador to Amman Peter MacDougall attended the meeting.

Safadi met separately with Freeland, with talks focusing on ways to expand the two countries’ partnership, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The two ministers stressed the need to increase cooperation in economic, investment, trade and cultural fields and deepen coordination on regional and international issues of common concern, in order to further strengthen the Jordanian-Canadian partnership.  

During a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Safadi and Freeland discussed the prospects for expanding cooperation between the two countries, whose relations have seen a remarkable development after they signed the free trade agreement (FTA) in 2009 which came into effect in 2012, rendering the Kingdom as the only Arab country associated with an FTA with Canada.

Both sides agreed to continue working to build on the positive results of His Majesty King Abdullah's visit to Canada last year and his discussions with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

Also on Tuesday, Freeland, accompanied by MacDougall and a delegation from the United Nations Population Fund, checked on services the King Hussein Foundation’s (KHF) Institute for Family Health offers to local community and refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Hana Shaheen, KHF’s executive director, briefed the visitors on the institute’s experience and mandate, including the health services it offers to families.

The delegates also visited INJAZ business incubator and checked on services presented to entrepreneur incubators, according to Petra.