Jordan renews support for Tunisia’s stability

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed the need for a strategic and  comprehensive counterterrorism approach, underlining the importance of boosting regional and international coordination, in a manner that safeguards security and stability at the regional and global levels. 

At a meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid, who is chairing his country's delegation to the meetings of the Joint Jordanian-Tunisian Higher Committee, King Abdullah extended condolences over the loss of life in a recent terrorist blast that targeted a bus with members of Tunisia’s presidential guard on board in Tunis. 

King Abdullah denounced all such criminal acts, noting that intensive efforts are needed to confront them, according to a Royal Court statement. 

At the meeting that was held at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King expressed his pride in the distinguished relations between the two countries in various fields, the Royal Court said. 

King Abdullah stressed the importance of building on the outcome of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi’s recent visit to Jordan, and on the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by Jordan and Tunisia, in a manner that serves mutual interests.  

He stressed the significance of boosting economic cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the joint committee, whose meetings began in Amman on Monday, especially in the fields of energy, education, health, information technology, tourism and maritime transport.  

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest regional developments, especially developments in Syria, Libya and Iraq and ways to deal with them.  

Essid briefed the King on developments in North Africa and on Tunisia’s counterterrorism efforts. 

King Abdullah stressed Jordan’s support of Tunisia’s security and stability and the Tunisian premier conveyed Essebsi’s greetings to King Abdullah, stressing his country’s commitment to strengthening Jordanian-Tunisian historic and brotherly relations.

He also stressed Tunisia’s commitment to maintaining coordination with Jordan and following up on the implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries in various fields.  

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met with his Tunisian counterpart as part of the Jordanian-Tunisian Higher Committee meetings, which were co-chaired by the two premiers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Ensour said holding the meetings came in implementation of directives from His Majesty King Abdullah and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi when they met recently in Amman and highlighted the importance of activating the role of the higher committee, especially since its last meeting was held in 2009. 

The premier highlighted the importance of encouraging officials from both countries to exchange visits and see the opportunities available in each country and build partnerships.

He also said it is important to activate the Agadir Agreement which includes Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco, voicing Jordan’s interest in benefiting from Tunisian expertise in the field of supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in addition to facilitating the registration of Jordanian medicines in Tunisia.

Ensour praised the Tunisian decision to exempt Jordanians from obtaining a visa, stressing the importance of tourist cooperation.

The two prime ministers discussed regional conditions and they voiced support for the Palestinians’ right to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. 

Moreover, Essid stressed role of His Majesty King Abdullah in supporting the Palestinian cause and defending Islamic and Christian sanctuaries in Jerusalem. 

As for the Syrian crisis, the two officials stressed the importance of finding a political solution that preserves the unity of Syrian territory.

They also discussed issues in Libya, underlining the importance of a political solution that preserves the security and stability of the country and Ensour welcomed Tunisia’s efforts in the matter. 

Lawmakers from Libya’s rival parliaments have reached a power-sharing agreement in Tunisia, shunning UN-brokered deal to avoid the “foreign intervention” tainting it, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Also on Monday, a joint cooperation agreement was signed between Amman Chamber of Commerce and Tunis Chamber of Commerce during the Jordanian-Tunisian Business Forum, which coincided with of the meeting of the Joint Jordanian Tunisian Higher Committee. 

A similar deal was signed between the Jordan-European Business Association and the Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises, in the presence of Jordanian and Tunisian officials, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  

At the forum, which was co-chaired by Ensour and his Tunisian counterpart, the two sides discussed arrangements for a visit by members of the Amman Chamber of Commerce to Tunis mid-February to further discuss ways to boost joint cooperation between the private sectors in Jordan and Tunisia.