UK remains 'Jordan's steadfast friend' after Brexit vote — ambassador

AMMAN — The UK on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to Jordan and said the relationship between London and Amman would not be affected by the British vote to leave Europe. 

"Our political links will remain as strong as ever. Our military links will remain as strong as ever. Our security links will remain as strong as ever," the UK's ambassador to Jordan, Edward Oakden, said in a statement.

The UK voted in favour of leaving the EU in a nationwide referendum on June 23, and UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said the people's decision will be implemented. 

Briefing reporters on the impact of the vote, Oakden said that while Britain will be leaving the EU, it will not turn its back on Europe or its friends, allies and partners around the world, according to the statement.

"We will retain economic links with our European neighbours and continue to work closely with partners worldwide like Jordan," the diplomat said. 

The UK has provided over half-a-billion dollars to Jordan since the start of the Syrian crisis, he noted, adding that London will spend a further $150 million in 2016. 

"The results of the referendum do not change this. Next year we will be spending as much, if not more," the ambassador said.

Half of the UK's development spending in Jordan is targeted at communities hosting large numbers of refugees, and "this will not change", Oakden pledged. 

Promoting Jordan’s resilience means supporting refugees, which is “vitally important”, the ambassador said, noting that most of the UK’s support to Jordan is delivered through the Jordanian government or in communities across the Kingdom that are hosting refugees.

Oakden gave assurances that the UK's pledges to Jordan made at the London donor conference in February will not be affected by the UK's exit from the EU.

"The UK is on track to keep with all of our commitments", which include funding education in Jordan and improving protections for groups affected by the Syria crisis, Oakden said. 

The UK promised to double its funding for education in Jordan, and has done so, the ambassador said, noting that London has provided $27 million this year and will provide over $107 million over the next four years. 

Britain also remains committed to the international community’s pledge to ensure that every child in Jordan will be in education by the end of the school year in 2017, he said.

“Working closely with the government of Jordan we are on track to achieve this,” the official added.

Oakden highlighted that in June, the UK formally funded an agreement worth $34 million between Mercy Corps and the Jordanian government to improve protection for vulnerable groups. 

"The UK’s commitment to Jordan’s resilience, security and prosperity remains unchanged by the results of our referendum," the ambassador underscored.  

"We will continue to remain a steadfast friend."