Mulki, Abe discuss bilateral relations

AMMAN — Concluding his visit to Japan that started on Wednesday, Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Friday discussed bilateral relation with his Japanese counterpart Shinzoō Abe, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, Mulki and Abe also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and the challenges facing the region, such as the Syrian crisis.

Mulki expressed appreciation for the official invitation to follow up on the outcomes of His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit last year.

He stressed the “deep rooted and strategic” relations between Jordan and Japan, appreciating the Asian country’s financial and technical support to the Kingdom, especially during those “critical” circumstances.

Talks covered the Syrian refugee crisis, which affected Jordan at the security, social and economic levels, with a direct cost of JD10.6 billion and JD3.5 billion as indirect cost since 2012, as a result of hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

He expressed appreciation of the Japanese investment initiative that began last year and aims to enhance economic partnership between the two countries.

He also commended the Japanese companies’ contribution to investment in Jordan in various fields such as mining, electricity and renewable energy.

Mulki thanked Japan for supporting the Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyance Project, which he described as a vital and “peace-enhancing” project in the region, commending Japan’s “Peace Path” initiative that was launched 10 years ago.

He stressed the importance of the international community’s commitment to support Jordan in continuing  assistance to Syrian refugees and host communities.

He said that Jordan is an active member of the international coalition to fight the Daesh terror group within a comprehensive military and ideological approach, noting that failing to solve the Palestinian issue in a just manner would only result in more frustration among Muslims, generating further extremism.

For his part, Shinzō Abe stressed that Jordan is one of the primary “pillars” of security and stability in the Middle East and reiterated Japan’s keenness on supporting it in this regard.

Abe announced a $12 million grant to support the project of improving water quality in Amman’s Ain Al Basha region, in addition to $21 million that were previously granted to improve water supply in Irbid, 80km north of Amman.

Mulki noted that Jordan and Japan will hold their annual dialogue related to development cooperation in last quarter of 2017.