Jordan, Norway mark half century of diplomatic relations

AMMAN — Norwegian Ambassador to Jordan Tone Allers, in a recent interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, has said her country would contribute $28 million to the Kingdom’s efforts to support Syrian refugees.

The interview came as Jordan and Norway celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and as Norway marked its national day.

Ambassador Allers commended Jordanian-Norwegian ties, highlighting counterterrorism cooperation, noting that the two countries are members of the anti-Daesh coalition.

During the interview, Allers said that Norway contributed a grant of $28 million to Jordan last year, and that Oslo’s support is not only restricted for refugees, but also targets host communities.

She also highlighted her country’s efforts to work with the Kingdom and donors to coordinate new support mechanisms to support Jordan amid the heavy influx of Syrian refugees.

The Norwegian embassy in Amman, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has become Norway’s largest in the region, she told Petra, attributing this to the Kingdom’s stability and security.

However, the ambassador said Jordanian-Norwegian trade and economic cooperation remained “modest”, noting that there was room for further collaboration, specifically after the Jordanian Embassy in Oslo was established in 2017.

The number of Norwegian tourists to the Kingdom has also declined due to the Syrian crisis and regional conflict, but a direct flight to Copenhagen, among other “encouraging factors” is expected to increase the volume of tourists between the two countries, she added.

On the Palestinian cause, the diplomat reiterated her country’s support for the Palestinians and peace based on the two-state solution, expressing Norway’s commitment to the 1993 Oslo Accords.

She also voiced concern over UNRWA’s financial situation, affirming her country’s commitment to follow through with its annual financial obligations to the agency.