AMMAN— His Majesty
King Abdullah on Wednesday
bestowed the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the
Renaissance), granted to heads of state, on German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, in
recognition of her relentless efforts to enhance friendship and expand
cooperation between Jordan and Germany, according to a Royal Court statement.
اضافة اعلان
(Photo: Royal Court)
During a meeting in Berlin, attended by HRH
Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, King Abdullah expressed appreciation for the strong relations
between the two countries, thanking Germany for announcing 483.7 million euros
in support for Jordan for 2021.
The new aid package funds development projects in key
sectors, including water, education, employment, and technical and vocational
training, in addition to supporting the Jordan Response Plan to the Syrian
crisis by funding projects allocated for host communities and refugees.
In joint remarks to the press, His Majesty commended working
with Merkel for over 15 years, as the two countries witnessed a stronger
partnership based on mutual commitment towards peace and stability worldwide.
“Your leadership, Madam Chancellor, has been key in bringing
us all closer to stability and mutual respect and understanding,” the King
said.
“Your legacy of steady, mature leadership speaks for itself.
Over these past years, your wisdom has helped our world navigate many perilous
crises,” His Majesty added, noting that the latest such crisis has been the
COVID-19 pandemic and its severe ramifications.
“Your compassion, dedication, and honesty have been
instrumental in building enduring partnerships and overcoming differences,” the
King said.
His Majesty said Wednesday’s meeting is a chance for Jordan
to thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership.
“Under your watch, relations between Jordan and Germany have
continued to grow from strength to strength across the political, economic,
cultural, and military sectors,” the King noted, expressing Jordan’s pride in
these relations and keenness on enhancing them further with Germany and the EU.
For her part, Chancellor Merkel expressed interest in
Jordan’s current reform drive in various fields, adding that it is a pleasure
to meet with the King again in Berlin to discuss ties, which have grown
stronger over the past years.
Merkel stressed the importance of exchanging views to
enhance mutual security and political cooperation, expressing appreciation for
Jordan’s handling of political and security issues in a tough region.
“Throughout the course of my years in service, I was able to
learn a lot from His Majesty,” the chancellor said.
She highlighted ongoing cooperation and exchange of views on
the COVID-19 pandemic, and means of advancing vaccination programs.
On foreign policy, the chancellor commended Jordan’s
committed efforts towards the two-state solution, a matter that she said she
emphasized during her recent visit to Israel.
“We don’t want to abandon the thought of a two-state
solution; we want to continue to work for that, because we believe that the
security of Israel is best guaranteed if there is a state for the Palestinians
in which they can live,” she added.
In addition, Chancellor Merkel commended His Majesty’s role
in safeguarding holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship, a
role she described as “very special and important”.
On regional politics, Merkel said exchanging view on Syria
is ongoing, describing the situation there as “far from satisfactory”, adding
that there is much to talk about on Iraq and Iran.
Chancellor Merkel concluded her remarks by thanking the King
for his role in pursuit of peaceful solutions to regional conflicts, despite
the challenging circumstance, commending His Majesty’s cooperation over the
past years and his efforts to bolster prosperity in Jordan.
The meeting covered means of advancing ties, as well as
regional and international developments, with the King calling for stepping up
efforts towards just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state
solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on
the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Majesty called for stepping up efforts to reach the
two-state solution, as the only way to achieve regional peace, stability, and
security, stressing Jordan’s ongoing efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian
holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.
In addition, the King stressed the need to maintain support
for UNRWA to sustain its relief services in line with its UN mandate.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Ayman Safadi,
Director of the Office of His Majesty
Jafar Hassan, and a number of senior
German officials attended the meeting.
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