TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Monday, and the two leaders saw the signing of a grant aid agreement worth 713 million yen (about $5.4 million) from Japan to Jordan for its “Economic and Social Development Program.”
Kishida then hosted a working dinner for the King, who is in Japan on an official visit with Queen Rania.
Japan’s Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa and Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan signed the grant aid documents. According to the Japanese foreign ministry, the assistance is for the provision of equipment for facilities to be erected as part of the Aqaba Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project.
Jordan is one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, and its primary water resource, groundwater, is fast depleting, a condition exacerbated by the recent influx of around 1.3 million Syrian refugees, according to the ministry. Through the enhancement of Jordan’s water supply service system, Japan and Jordan are expected to contribute to a stable water supply and efficient and effective use of water resources.
The two leaders talked on a variety of bilateral topics and decided to broaden the area of cooperation within the strategic partnership.
Japan, according to Prime Minister Kishida, appreciates Jordan’s efforts to modernize its economy and finances and will continue to support Jordan through a variety of means, including development policy loans and grant aid for the power, water, and other sectors. He also underlined Japan’s desire to help to Jordan’s urgent concerns, such as raising foreign investment and reducing unemployment.
King Abdullah conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to Japan for its unwavering support for Jordan.
The two leaders also agreed to expand collaboration in sophisticated technology, notably digital, as well as other areas such as supply chains.
Concerning security, Kishida mentioned the Fourth Japan-Jordan Politico-Military Dialogue, as well as numerous exchanges between both countries’ defense forces, and stressed Japan’s determination to continue contributing to the international community’s peace and stability. Furthermore, the two presidents appreciated the agreement to establish a framework for bilateral cybersecurity talks.
Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Kishida referred to his March visit to Ukraine and stated the importance of the international community remaining united in arguing that any unilateral change of the status quo by force is unacceptable anywhere in the world. Jordan’s answer was not reported by the foreign ministry.
Kishida also discussed the New Plan for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” unveiled in March of this year, and stated his intention to continue spreading the FOIP vision.
The two leaders also discussed Middle Eastern regional issues. Kishida expressed his concern about the present tensions between Israel and Palestine and praised the efforts of Jordan, Egypt, the United States, Israel, and Palestine in the five-party negotiations.
Kishida also remarked that Jordan’s and the Hashemite Custodianship over the holy places in Jerusalem is critical, and that Japan will do its part by supporting its own projects, such as the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity.”
Jordan’s attempts to prevent the deterioration of the situation in Palestine and to develop a political horizon for the start of serious negotiations toward the realization of a just and permanent peace based on a two-state solution were explained by King Abdullah.
