Senate president lauds EU support for Jordan

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Thursday commended Jordan’s relations with EU countries in various fields, especially political and economic, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During a meeting with EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana, Fayez said that Jordan’s tie with EU countries are “strong, strategic and are based on mutual respect that serves common interests”.

During the meeting organised by Jordan-EU parliamentary friendship committee, attended by the head of the committee Senator Alia Bouran, the Senate president said that the Kingdom appreciates the EU’s “constant” support, in the light of economic challenges facing the country resulting from regional crises. 

Fayez called for increased economic aid to Jordan over the next five years to support the State Treasury to address the deficit caused by the Syrian refugee crisis. 

Fayez also appreciated the EU countries’ support to pan-Arab issues, especially His Majesty King Abdullah’s stance by rejecting the US administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

For his part, Fontana stressed the EU’s keenness to further relations with Jordan, pointing out that the bloc will continue economic support to the Kingdom. The ambassador expressed his appreciation of Jordan for hosting the Syrian refugees and in bringing security and stability to the region. 

During the meeting, the ambassador outlined the amount and nature of the EU’s aid to Jordan in various sectors, especially in education, energy, water and the development of the business environment.