British ambassador meets Balqa governor, visits UK-funded projects

AMMAN — British Ambassador Bridget Brind visited the Governorate of Balqa on Sunday to meet Governor Nayef Hadayat, visit a UK-funded project supporting refugees in the governorate and see the world-class scientific research facility at SESAME, which includes UK participation.

The ambassador also met parliamentary representatives of the governorate and local young people, according to a statement from the British embassy.

Hadayat welcomed the ambassador’s visit, stressing the depth of relations and friendship between Jordan and the United Kingdom.

He briefed the ambassador on the tasks and duties undertaken by the Governor of Balqa.

“These tasks and duties have gone beyond the security and administrative role to deliver a development and improvements to the level of services provided to citizens. This contributes to developing the governorate economically and socially in order to address the economic problems that the governorate suffers from, such as poverty and unemployment,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

 Brind visited Musa Al Saket Cultural Centre where she spoke to refugees at a project that has been supported by the UK. With support from UK Aid, the Norwegian Refugee Council provides legal information, counselling and assistance on issues such as civil documentation, housing rights and labour rights.

The ambassador concluded the visit in Allan at the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), the first synchrotron light facility in the Middle East. During the visit, the ambassador met with Khaled Toukan, the director general of SESAME, who led a tour around the facility.

“UK has played an exceptionally pivotal role in the development of SESAME scientific and technical activities. Not only the facility has benefitted from the donations of equipment, but also the training programmes organised by SESAME’s sister Laboratory Diamond. Over the past years, this support allowed SESAME to develop at a far quicker pace than would otherwise have been the case,” the statement quoted Touqan as saying.

The British Government’s recently published Integrated Review of the UK’s defence, development and foreign policy has underscored the importance of science and innovation in the UK’s cooperation with international partners. The benefits of scientific cooperation are exemplified by the international character of SESAME, which has included UK contributions, the statement said.

Following the meetings, Brind said: “I was delighted to visit the Governorate of Balqa and city of Salt today and to meet official representatives and young people in Balqa. As we celebrate Jordan’s first centenary and look ahead to another 100 years of close friendship between Jordan and the UK, it was good to visit the place where, 100 years ago, King Abdullah I took many important steps towards the founding of Jordan.”

The British government is committed to working in partnership with Jordan at all levels, both with government and with wider civil society, the statement said.