US has no stronger Arab partner than Jordan — ambassador

AMMAN — The US "has no stronger Arab partner than Jordan", US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells said Thursday.

Speaking at a reception held to mark a port visit to Aqaba by the USS Arlington, on its maiden voyage, she highlighted her country's ties with the Kingdom. 

“The partnership between Jordan and the United States is resolute. Jordan is one of our most capable and steadfast allies in the region and we reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Jordan’s stability, development, and prosperity,” an embassy statement quoted Wells as saying.

"The USS Arlington’s visit here in Aqaba is a small symbol of our six decades of cooperation,” she added.

The statement said the port visit demonstrates "US-Jordanian military cooperation and the United States’ unwavering commitment to Jordan’s security".

Wells, US Naval Forces Central Command Commander Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, and the ship’s captain and crew hosted the reception in Aqaba.

The USS Arlington is an amphibious transport dock ship, commissioned in 2013 and named for Arlington, Virginia, home of the Pentagon.

The relationship between the Royal Jordanian Naval Force and the US Navy "continues to be one of the strongest pieces of our security partnership", the US embassy said. 

“As part of the multi-national Combined Maritime Forces, Jordan provides a valuable contribution to counter-piracy, counterterrorism, and regional maritime security cooperation initiatives,” it added.

Jordan’s naval force is also “crucial to the success of the multiple port calls American ships conduct in Aqaba every year”, according to the embassy.

The Kingdom is “one of the largest recipients” of direct US military assistance, with over half a billion dollars in defence-related aid to Jordan over the past year. 

“Much of this aid has helped procure military equipment to support Jordan’s efforts to defend its borders and defeat Daesh. The United States has provided advanced surveillance technologies reinforce Jordan’s borders, along with anti-terrorism and counterterrorism tactical training and equipment,” the embassy said.

US funding also supports military exchange training between the two countries. Hundreds of Jordanian officers participate in training programmes in the US annually, and US military personnel train in Jordan, according to the statement. 

“As Jordan’s armed forces meet these challenges head-on, we strive to support Jordan’s military success,” Wells said.