Cyprus offers to further its energy cooperation with Jordan

AMMAN — Jordan is keen on developing its relations with Cyprus, which it sees as an important partner, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said on Thursday.

During a meeting with Yiannakis Omirou, president of the Cypriot parliament, and an accompanying delegation, Ensour reviewed the reform process that Jordan has implemented over the past three years.

He also stressed that Jordanians’ increasing involvement in decision making has ensured the Kingdom’s stability in a war-hit region.

The Middle East has not enjoyed the peace it deserves over the past century, the premier said, attributing this to the absence of a just solution to the Palestinian issue.

He also touched on the continuous refugee waves the Kingdom has hosted throughout its history, and the repercussions they pose on its limited resources.

For his part, Omirou expressed Cyprus’ interest in increasing the level of cooperation with Jordan, especially concerning energy and natural gas in light of the memorandum of understanding the two countries have recently signed.

Omirou said he is convinced that political parties in the Cypriot parliament would endorse all agreements with the Kingdom in these fields.

Also on Thursday, Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh met with Omirou and discussed issues of mutual interest.

The Cypriot official expressed his country’s readiness to help Jordan shoulder the refugee burden.

He noted that Cyprus, through its membership in the European Union, will call on the international community to provide all types of assistance to Jordan to help it face the challenges of the Syrian crisis.

Also on Thursday, Omirou visited the Baptism Site in the Jordan Valley, where Jesus Christ was baptised by John the Baptist.