Fakhoury discusses response to refugee crisis with Dutch, UK diplomats

AMMAN — Planning Minister Imad Fakhoury on Sunday met with Ambassador of the Netherlands to Jordan Paul van den Ijssel to discuss bilateral ties and development cooperation.

Fakhoury expressed appreciation for the support the Netherlands has extended to Jordan over the past few years to help it address some of the challenges brought on by the influx of Syrian refugees into the country, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

The minister also highlighted that the government will work to mobilise necessary funding to implement the Jordan Response Plan 2015, emphasising the importance of assistance from donors.

He discussed funding instruments currently available, including the Jordan Resilience Trust Fund, which is being established in cooperation with UNDP. 

The Dutch ambassador reiterated that his government is committed to continuing its support for Jordan “at these difficult times” on a bilateral level and within the international community.

Both parties discussed preparations for “Kuwait III”, the upcoming pledging conference that will take place in the city of Kuwait later this month.

The Dutch ambassador highlighted that the Netherlands’ delegation will be headed by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Lilianne Ploumen.

Fakhoury also met with the Chargé d’ Affaires of the British embassy and the development counsellor, the statement said. 

The minister thanked the United Kingdom for its support to Jordan on both development and humanitarian fronts, while underlining the importance of the UK as a strategic partner to Jordan. 

He highlighted reform priorities for the next three years and provided an overview of Jordan’s development agenda, including updates on the “Jordan 2025” vision. 

Moreover, the minister praised the British embassy’s efforts in helping with the preparation process for the Jordan Response Plan 2015 and its support in implementing it.