Tokyo - Jordan's Ambassador to Japan Lina Ennab has underscored the profound and enduring historical relationship between Jordan and Japan, highlighting the unique connection between the Jordanian royal family and the Japanese imperial family.
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In an interview with Petra News Agency, Ambassador Ennab noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Over this period, the bilateral relationship has experienced notable growth and development across various sectors.
She emphasized the significance of royal visits to Japan, reflecting His Majesty King Abdullah II's commitment to strengthening the partnership.
The King's visit in April of the previous year was pivotal in expanding cooperation and opening new avenues for collaboration, with substantial strategic implications in political, economic, and cultural domains.
Ambassador Ennab affirmed Japan's role as a key partner for Jordan, pointing to the elevation of their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2018. This has led to the establishment of strategic dialogues in political, defense, and security sectors, including cybersecurity and development. Multiple rounds of these dialogues have further solidified the bilateral relationship.
In 2014, during King Abdullah's visit to Japan, a significant joint statement was adopted, outlining shared priorities and reinforcing mutual interests. Efforts are underway to update this statement for the 70th anniversary, reflecting on past achievements and setting future objectives.
The diplomatic ties have also seen the appointment of the first military attaché between the two countries.
Ambassador Ennab highlighted Japanese investments in critical sectors in Jordan, totaling approximately $2 billion, encompassing infrastructure, energy, and renewable energy projects. Japanese energy initiatives meet 18% of Jordan's energy needs, emphasizing the strategic importance of these investments.
She stressed the necessity of diversifying and increasing trade exchanges, noting that the current trade volume falls short of expectations. In 2018, Jordan and Japan signed an agreement to promote investment, and in 2023, a collaboration agreement was established with Japan's Digital Agency to advance technological cooperation.
To commemorate the 70th anniversary, 70 cherry trees, donated by the Japanese non-profit Cherry Tree Association "Ikokai," will be planted in a public park in Amman. This gesture symbolizes the anniversary and the robust bilateral relationship.
Arrangements are underway between the Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Japanese Embassy in Amman for a ceremony to inaugurate the park at the end of the year.
Ambassador Ennab also noted the 1994 air services agreement between Jordan and Japan, which reflects mutual intentions to enhance commercial and tourism relations.
This agreement facilitates passenger movement and lays the groundwork for increased cooperation, including the potential establishment of a direct flight route between the two nations.
She considered collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a cornerstone in supporting Jordan’s development projects. JICA provides financial and technical assistance across various sectors, including infrastructure, education, health, environment, and tourism.
Over the past 20 years, JICA has provided Jordan with $2 billion in aid, including $700 million in grants and the remainder in concessional loans, supporting development and modernization efforts, as well as aid for Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Japan remains one of the largest donors to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), ranking as the sixth-largest donor in 2023.
In the educational sector, a memorandum of understanding for student exchange between Jordan and Tokyo was prepared during the King’s April 2023 visit. This agreement will facilitate student exchanges, with two programs already completed, the latest in July 2024. Additionally, the Japanese government provides four annual scholarships to Jordanian students through the Ministry of Education.
Regarding tourism, a friendship agreement between a Japanese tourism route and Jordan Trail was signed in October of the previous year, aimed at enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges and fostering expertise in adventure tourism and other trails. Jordan anticipates participating in Expo Osaka 2025 to further support cultural and tourism exchange.
On enhancing bilateral cooperation, several friendship associations facilitate people-to-people and parliamentary connections.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, Ambassador Ennab highlighted Japan’s firm support for a two-state solution, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without it. Japan views Jordan as a crucial element for regional stability and maintains ongoing coordination concerning the peace process.
Ambassador Ennab also noted Japan's appreciation for the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and its continued support for peace initiatives like the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," aimed at contributing to security and peace.
She criticized the current Israeli government's unwillingness to advance the peace process and reiterated Japan’s strong opposition to Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank, which she stated contravene international law and undermine the two-state solution. Japan has repeatedly called for a complete cessation of settlement activities.
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