UAE, Jordan Discuss Cooperation, Situation in Gaza

The signing of agreements between the UAE and Jordan in the attendance of the UAE President and the Jordanian King. (WAM)
The signing of agreements between the UAE and Jordan in the attendance of the UAE President and the Jordanian King. (WAM)
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UAE, Jordan Discuss Cooperation, Situation in Gaza

The signing of agreements between the UAE and Jordan in the attendance of the UAE President and the Jordanian King. (WAM)
The signing of agreements between the UAE and Jordan in the attendance of the UAE President and the Jordanian King. (WAM)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Jordanian King Abdullah II on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.

The two men discussed bilateral relations between the UAE and Jordan and explored the opportunities to bolster strategic cooperation mainly in economy, investment, industry, food security, and other vital areas.

They also addressed regional and international issues mainly the developments in the Gaza Strip and the efforts to respond to the worsening humanitarian situation.

They emphasized the need for urgent international action to stop the military escalation and provide full protection for civilians based on international humanitarian law.

They also underscored the importance of ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by enabling international humanitarian organizations to perform their duty and opening safe and sustainable humanitarian corridors.

The two leaders stressed the need to spare the region the consequences of a new spiral of violence and work towards establishing a clear political horizon for a just, comprehensive, and sustainable peace that ensures stability and security for all.

Moreover, they expressed their strong commitment to intensifying collaboration to bring about peace in the region, drawing from both countries' longstanding efforts to promote harmonious coexistence and regional collaboration for the benefit of all communities.

Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the shared vision of the UAE and Jordan, emphasizing their collective pursuit of sustainable development for their people.

He underscored the crucial role of enhancing peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the region.

In addition, they underscored that the extensive array of cooperative projects announced during the visit marks a significant advancement in the ambitious developmental partnership between the UAE and Jordan, promising prosperity and growth for both nations.

For his part, King Abdullah II underscored the critical importance of lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip, highlighting the urgent need to address deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Strip.

Jordan’s King commended the UAE’s efforts in this regard, noting its proactive role in the UN Security Council to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza.

Moreover, the UAE and Jordan signed memoranda of understanding worth $6 billion in development, investment, and energy, aiming to enhance cooperation to achieve sustainable development and prosperity in both countries.

The MoUs include a memorandum between the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) and the Jordan Investment Fund to operate the Aqaba multi-purpose terminal and develop a waste-to-energy plant, in addition to funding a port community system (PCS) in Aqaba, a railway project, and a sewage treatment plant.

The second was signed between the investment ministries of the two countries.

The third MoU between the government of Jordan and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development entails funding development projects in Jordan at a value of $400 million, including $75 million to support the state budget, as well as the connectivity of three industrial and development cities to the natural gas pipeline.



Arab-Western Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh to Discuss Syria

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Arab-Western Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh to Discuss Syria

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Riyadh hosted on Sunday a meeting bringing together foreign ministers from Arab and Western countries, as well as representatives of international and UN organizations, to discuss the situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime last month.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Asaad Al-Shibani, the foreign minister of Syria’s new administration, will attend the meeting, alongside UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Ahead of the broader discussions with European counterparts and representatives of participating organizations, Arab foreign ministers will hold a separate meeting to address the Syrian crisis, the same sources revealed.

The US State Department announced in a statement that Under Secretary of State John Bass will attend the multilateral meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia, to coordinate international support for the Syrian people.

The statement added that Bass will hold bilateral meetings during his visit to Riyadh from January 11-13 to discuss key regional and global priorities with Saudi and other international partners.

The Syrian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ayman Sousan, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant regional and global influence, emphasizing its “immense potential to assist Syria in overcoming the current challenges.”

Sousan, in a previous interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, praised the ongoing efforts led by the Kingdom under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the supervision of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He noted that Saudi Arabia have consistently extended assistance to Syrians since the start of the crisis in 2011, even when the previous regime obstructed aid delivery to manipulate its distribution.

The Kingdom has been delivering humanitarian aid to Syria in recent days via land and air bridges. These shipments include food, shelter, and medical supplies, aiming to alleviate the dire conditions faced by the Syrian people.

The aid efforts “have no set ceiling,” according to Saudi officials, and will remain in place until their goals of stabilizing the humanitarian situation are achieved, in line with directives from the Saudi leadership.

The Riyadh meeting follows a gathering held in Aqaba, Jordan, in mid-December, when the Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the Syrian people and providing support during this critical period.

The committee, established by the Arab League, includes representatives from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the League’s Secretary-General, and the foreign ministers of the UAE, Bahrain (the current chair of the Arab Summit), and Qatar.

The committee stressed the importance of a comprehensive and peaceful political transition in Syria, involving all political and social forces, including women, youth, and civil society. They emphasized that this process must be fair, inclusive, and guided by UN and Arab League principles, specifically UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The Aqaba meeting also featured the participation of foreign ministers from Türkiye, France, and the United States.