Latest news with #Jordan-US
Jordan Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan meets delegations from French Senate, US Congress
HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal on Wednesday holds separate meetings with a delegation from the French Senate's Communication, Thinking, Monitoring and Solidarity Group with the Christians of the East (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal on Wednesday held separate meetings with a delegation from the French Senate's Communication, Thinking, Monitoring and Solidarity Group with the Christians of the East and with a US Congressional aides delegation. During the meeting with the French delegation, Prince El Hassan stressed the importance of fostering dialogue across the region, advocating for respect toward the diverse identities of minority communities and recognising their vital role in shaping a shared and inclusive regional future, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He underscored the necessity of human solidarity among Eastern communities as a foundation for preserving dignity and countering the forces of polarisation and hatred. The Prince also reviewed the efforts of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies in promoting dialogue among followers of different religions, underlining its contributions to building bridges of understanding and coexistence. During the discussion with the US delegation, Prince El Hassan emphasised the importance of cultivating a 'will to stay' among the peoples of the region by expanding economic, developmental and humanitarian opportunities that empower communities to remain in their homelands. He warned against the deepening threat of sectarianism and called for the strategic use of the Great Rift Valley as a platform for regional cooperation, development and the advancement of human dignity. Highlighting the need for pragmatic, evidence-based strategies, Prince El Hassan also called for a comprehensive approach to development that places human dignity at the core of all policies and initiatives. Also on Wednesday, Senate President Faisal Fayez met with the US Congressional aides delegation to discuss Jordanian-US ties and regional developments. Fayez reiterated the strength of Jordan-US relations and highlighted Jordan's comprehensive reform programme across political, economic and administrative spheres. He also outlined the Kingdom's economic and security challenges amid ongoing regional instability. Fayez also expressed appreciation for US assistance in helping Jordan address these challenges, but urged the US administration to reconsider recently imposed tariffs on Jordanian exports. He also called for the reversal of a decision to halt funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), particularly in critical sectors such as health, education, and the empowerment of women and youth, to support Jordan's development efforts and promote regional peace and stability.
Jordan Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Hassan, US delegation discuss cooperation, regional developments
Prime Minister Jafar Hassan meets on Tuesday with a delegation of US Congressional aides to discuss Jordan-US strategic ties and cooperation (Petra photo) AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan met on Tuesday with a delegation of US Congressional aides to discuss Jordan-US strategic ties and cooperation. Hassan reflected on his recent, "constructive" visit to the US, where both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties and broadening economic cooperation and investment opportunities, according to a Prime Ministry statement. The discussion covered the current regional situation, emphasising the importance of supporting efforts to ensure security and stability. The prime minister outlined the Kingdom's future plans as part of a comprehensive modernisation agenda targeting the political, economic and administrative sectors. The plans prioritise investments in key strategic projects, particularly in water, rail, transport and infrastructure, aiming to boost economic growth and create job opportunities for Jordanians. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh. Also on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held separate meetings with the US Congress delegations a French Senate delegation to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments, particularly the escalating crisis in Gaza. In his meeting with a delegation of US congressional aides, Safadi reiterated the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, emphasising the importance of continued coordination in addressing regional challenges, the Jordan News Agency, Petra reported. Discussions focused on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, now under total Israeli blockade for the 50th consecutive day. Safadi underscored the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire and the unrestrained delivery of humanitarian aid. Safadi also reviewed developments in Syria and Lebanon, calling for regional and international efforts to bolster stability and security. He stressed the need for supporting Lebanon's sovereignty and maintaining the ceasefire, while urging international engagement in Syria's reconstruction and the lifting of sanctions. Earlier in the day, Safadi met with a delegation from the French Senate, including Vice-President Loïc Hervé, Étienne Blanc, chairman of the Committee for Liaison, Reflection and Solidarity with the Christians of the East, the Minorities of the Middle East and the Kurds, and Cyril Pellevat, chairman of the Jordanian-French Friendship Committee. Safadi highlighted the steady progress in Jordanian-French relations, particularly in the economic and defence sectors, and commended the high level of coordination between the two countries on regional issues. The discussion also focused on efforts to end the war on Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with Safadi commending French President Emmanuel Macron's recent support for the recognition of the State of Palestine. He stressed that official recognition is a vital step toward achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. The two sides also discussed preparations for the upcoming conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France to support the two-state solution, which Safadi described as the only viable path to regional peace.
Jordan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Shehadeh underlines ‘solid' Amman-Washington political, economic relations, says gov't seeks to double bilateral trade
Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh speaks at a forum hosted by the Amman Group for Future Dialogues (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh has affirmed the deep Jordan-US political and economic relationship, emphasising the pivotal role of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in solidifying the partnerships between the two countries. The minister highlighted the FTA's positive impact, generating a $3.1 billion trade surplus for Jordan and facilitating a $5 billion two-way trade flow. Speaking at a forum hosted by the "Amman Group for Future Dialogues," Shehadeh stressed Jordan's strategic intent to deepen this economic partnership with the US across various verticals, with a target of increasing trade exchange to $10 billion, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 'This ambition aligns with leveraging dynamic shifts in the global trade landscape,' he said, citing the 'constructive' visit Prime Minister Jafar Hassan has recently made to Washington, where he held high-level talks with key stakeholders within the US administration. Shehadeh affirmed the Jordanian economy's sustained resilience and macroeconomic stability, notwithstanding significant headwinds from the external environment. "The Jordanian Dinar remains robust, underpinned by record foreign exchange reserves exceeding $22 billion, providing 11 months of import cover, alongside a substantial strategic gold reserve," he said. He reiterated that the US dollar's valuation is fundamentally driven by global supply and demand dynamics. The minister emphasized the government's 'unwavering commitment to establishing a 'complementary' relationship with the private sector as a catalyst for economic expansion. 'This is can be seen in policy initiatives designed to cultivate a business-friendly investment ecosystem and encourage corporate social responsibility aligned with national development objectives.' He also highlighted the government's belief in the strategic importance of Islamic finance as a key enabler of capital formation and economic development, announcing the launch of t a tradable "Ijara Sukuk" (Islamic lease certificate) to further deepen Islamic capital markets. Shehadeh highlighted the government's citizen-centric economic strategy, prioritising inclusive and sustainable growth beyond short-term profitability metrics. He reiterated the government's primary mandate to achieve growth trajectories that demonstrably reduce poverty and unemployment while enhancing aggregate factor productivity. He also underlined the cross-governmental Economic Modernisation Vision as a core tenet of the government's agenda over the preceding seven months, complemented by 92 targeted economic policy interventions primarily aimed at streamlining processes for citizens and businesses. 'These measures have yielded tangible results, with the economy registering a 2.7 per cent growth rate, exceeding the initial year-end projection of 2.3 per cent.' The minister also underscored the imperative of export-led growth, citing the previous year's expansion in exports, with the services sector contributing approximately 50 per cent. 'This growth was attributed to government incentives, including a 10-year export tax holiday and a reduced 5 per cent income tax rate on export revenues, alongside customs facilitations aimed at bolstering domestic production for international markets.' He said that the government has also focused on injecting liquidity into the financial system through the expedited disbursement of accumulated tax refunds and the resolution of long-standing tax disputes via penalty waivers, a 'strategic economic decision prioritising market dynamism over purely accounting-based considerations, as evidenced by improved growth metrics and enhanced market liquidity.' Shehadeh affirmed the government's commitment to deploying allocated capital expenditure towards high-impact projects with significant output and employment multipliers, citing in this regard the 'prime minister's directive to expedite the implementation of budgeted projects and pursue new strategic investments, with a mid-year budget review slated for July.' Regarding mega infrastructure projects, Shehadeh said the National Water Carrier is progressing according to schedule with approved financial appendices, and the national railway project, advancing steadily with a projected cost of JD2.3 billion. This railway infrastructure is expected to provide a significant logistical advantage to the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) and Arab Potash Company (APC), enabling production scaling through reduced freight costs. Shehadeh reiterated the government's firm commitment to optimising public debt management through the issuance of JD 400 million in competitively priced Islamic bonds to refinance approximately $1 billion in maturing Eurobonds in June and July. This strategy leverages previously underutilized Islamic finance instruments, alongside securing concessional financing at favorable interest rates. He indicated that another $1 billion Eurobond maturity is scheduled for January of the following year, and the government will proactively manage this refinancing operation, aiming to minimize reliance on domestic capital markets and secure lower borrowing costs.
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Royal Jordanian launches new direct flight route to Washington, D.C.
AMMAN: Royal Jordanian Airline (RJ) has introduced a new direct flight service between Amman and Washington, D.C., offering two weekly flights, further solidifying its role as a prominent airline bridging the Middle East and North America. The new route, which will operate on Tuesdays and Sundays, will utilise Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The expansion is designed to improve connectivity between the two capitals, catering to government, business, and tourism passengers, as well as expatriates, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The inauguration event was attended by key figures, including Minister of Transport Wissam Tahtamouni, CEO of Airport International Group Nicolas Devillier, US embassy's Chargé d'Affaires Rohit Nepal, and Chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat. Tahtamouni emphasised the importance of the new route in boosting Jordan's status as a regional aviation hub, facilitating passenger travel between Washington and Amman, while also promoting tourism in the Kingdom. RJ CEO Samer Majali described the route as a strategic expansion, complementing the airline's existing direct services to Chicago, New York, and Detroit, highlighting RJ's dedication to boosting Jordan-US relations and providing an "outstanding" travel experience. This move is part of RJ's broader strategy to expand its network to 60 destinations and grow its fleet to 42 aircraft in the coming years. RJ has recently added five modern Embraer aircraft to its fleet, with plans to introduce three more, as well as new A320neo aircraft for medium-haul routes and Boeing 787-9 aircraft for long-haul flights. These aircraft will feature enhanced cabins, advanced entertainment systems, and Wi-Fi connectivity. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
'Jordan's unwavering stance on Gaza gains int'l attention following King's talks with Trump'
His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday holds talks with US President Donald Trump in the White House, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein (Photo courtesy of Royal Court) AMMAN — In a speech that resonated internationally, His Majesty King Abdullah underscored the shared aspirations of the Arab world, reinforced by unwavering support from the Arab countries and the Jordanian people, according to political analysts and sociologists. Speaking to The Jordan Times, Minister of Government Communications Mohammad Momani reiterated Jordan's commitment to its strategic diplomatic ties with the US. 'His Majesty's meeting with Trump underscored the Kingdom's clear stance on Gaza,' Momani said, adding 'We value the US' recognition of Jordan's leadership and its appreciation of our partnership.' Momani also stressed that the Jordan-US relationship is historic, strategic, and institutional, with both countries committed to fostering lasting peace, enhancing security and promoting shared prosperity. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that King Abdullah upheld Jordan's 'unwavering stance' throughout his discussions at the White House. He reiterated that Jordan's top priority remains serving its people while firmly rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians, emphasising the need to empower them on their own land. Jordanian sociologist Hussein Khozahe told The Jordan Times that the meeting carried significant diplomatic weight, attracting widespread attention from political leaders, analysts and citizens alike. 'Every aspect of the dialogue was under close scrutiny,' Khozahe noted. 'This was not just a bilateral discussion; it signalled to shift regional dynamics and a changing geopolitical compass.' He added that the meeting marked a defining moment for King Abdullah, securing a key diplomatic victory. 'His Majesty displayed remarkable wisdom and pragmatism, effectively articulating the Arab perspective on the conflict,' Khozahe said. Observers noted that the King's address not only unified Jordanians but also strengthened their appreciation for his leadership. His clear articulation of the Arab position has been widely praised, signalling a pivotal shift in regional diplomacy and reinforcing his role in advancing peace and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, they noted.
