Doha, 17 July 2023 (TDI): Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, met with Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, in Doha on June 16, discussing a remarkable increment in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in the past year.
The two sides deliberated on various measures to improve bilateral trade and diversify their economic and investment ties.
Fostering economic cooperation
Minister Ayman Safadi and Qatri Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman expressed the firm determination to strengthen their cooperation in major economic fields.
The two Ministers reached an agreement to hold a meeting of the Joint Higher Committee before the end of this year, bolstering cooperation in several fields of common concern.
They expressed their willingness to sign several agreements that can boost the legislative frameworks necessary to enhance cooperation in major investment sectors.
According to Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides also decided to operationalize a joint investment fund that the two countries agreed to establish in 2009 at a value of $2 billion.
The economic partnership between the two countries is witnessing continuous growth, as trade volumes surged from $163 million in 2021 to $211 billion in 2022, the Foreign Ministry added.
Moreover, the trade exchange between the two nations in the first quarter of this year amounted to $58 million.
Deliberations on Regional and International issues
The two Ministers touched upon several recent Arab, regional, and international developments of mutual concern.
They particularly underscored their mutual efforts to address the crisis in Yemen and Libya, along with providing support for stability in Lebanon.
The two leaders also underlined the importance of reaching a political settlement for the Syrian crisis in line with UN Security Council Resolution no 2254.
They decided to continue cooperating on the Palestinian issue and stressed peace and justice based on the two-state solution, given by the UN resolutions.
The top leaders expressed their strong resistance against Israel’s illegal measures that could halt the peace process.
During the discussion, the two Ministers placed a strong emphasis on the potential consequences emerging from Israel’s expansion of settlements on Palestinian lands, the displacement of Palestinians from their homes, and military operations conducted in Palestinian cities.
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In addition, the meeting strongly urged Israel to respect the existing historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Foreign Minister Safadi also commended the role of the State of Qatar in providing support to the Palestinian citizens in Gaza.
He praised Qatar’s assistance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Both sides also emphasized the significance of operationalizing joint Arab action to address regional crises and other Islamic issues.
Furthermore, FM Ayman Safadi engaged with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad at Emiri Diwan on Monday morning. The Minister conveyed the greetings and well wishes of Jordan’s King Abdullah II to Emir Tamim and the development and growth of the Qatari people.
