Jordan, UAE ‘see eye to eye on terror fight’

AMMAN — Jordan and the UAE on Sunday signed several agreements to boost cooperation, as both sides stressed that they see eye-to-eye on issues of mutual concern. 

The deals were signed following the second meeting of the joint ministerial committee, in which representatives of several ministries and the private sector took part. 

Also on Sunday, His Majesty King Abdullah met with UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who headed his country’s delegation at the meeting, and discussed with him regional developments and ways to strengthen cooperation, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King expressed his pride in the historic and strong relations between Jordan and the UAE, asserting his commitment to strengthening them in the various fields. 

Addressing the latest regional developments, the two sides underlined the importance of maintaining coordination to serve their mutual interests within the framework of joint Arab action.

The King and Sheikh Abdullah reviewed efforts to confront the threats of radical ideologies and terrorist groups on regional peace and stability, highlighting the need for further cooperation among stakeholders concerned with the issue. 

During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah conveyed greetings from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, president of the UAE, to His Majesty and expressed his appreciation of the Jordan’s efforts to ensure regional security and stability.

Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh co-chaired the ministerial meeting with his Emirati counterpart, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In his remarks, Judeh commended the ongoing cooperation between Jordan and the UAE and expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation of the Gulf country’s support.

Moreover, he thanked the UAE for its good care of the Jordanian community there, where more than 200,000 Jordanians, mostly professionals and families, reside. 

Addressing attendees, Sheikh Abdullah said UAE considers Jordan a strategic partner, commending the high level of coordination between the two countries, Petra reported. 

Delivering a keynote speech, he stressed the importance of Jordan’s position and its participation in the international coalition against terrorism and terrorist groups that pose a threat to regional countries and the world, in its entirety. He also expressed his country’s appreciation of the Kingdom’s efforts in hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees. 

In 2013, the joint Jordanian Emirati trade volume totalled $764 million, recording a 12 per cent increase over the 2012 figure. 

The number of Emirati companies investing in the Kingdom reached more than 250, with the investment volume exceeding $13 billion, the minister told attendees. 

Several memoranda of understanding and executive programmes that regulate cooperation between the two sides were signed at the meeting. 

These included memos stipulating cooperation in the areas of consumer protection, antiquities, youth, and the construction of roads and bridges. 

The executive programmes signed will regulate cooperation in the areas of tourism and labour for 2015-2016. They also covered higher education and scientific research cooperation, according to Petra.