Khasawneh, Qatar deputy PM discuss joint investment opportunities

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday voiced joint keenness to enhance Jordanian-Qatari cooperation in all fields.

Khasawneh and Sheikh Mohammad agreed to intensify meetings and communication between the two countries’ ministers and officials to explore cooperation opportunities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The prime minister referred to the government’s efforts to develop the Kingdom’s investment environment and offer incentives to attract local and foreign investments. The premier stressed the government’s appreciation of Qatari investments in vital projects Jordan plans to implement. 

The premier said that Amman and Doha have the political will to enhance cooperation to benefit both countries and peoples.

He also voiced wishes for Qatar’s success in hosting the 2022 World Cup and the Kingdom’s readiness to provide Qatar with any assistance for this international event.

Sheikh Mohammad conveyed Qatari Prime Minister Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s greetings to Khasawneh and voiced Doha’s keenness to enhance cooperation between the countries. 

Several ministers and officials from both countries attended the meeting held at Khasawneh’s office at the Prime Ministry. 

Also on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Sheikh Mohammad. 

The two sides discussed means of advancing Jordanian-Qatari brotherly ties to widen cooperation in various fields, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Both sides voiced keenness on furthering cooperation in various economic, investment and development fields according to integrated action plans to serve the best interests of the two nations. 

Talks also went over regional developments and efforts towards resolving regional crises, notably those aimed at the Palestinian cause on the basis of the two-state solution, in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative, as well as supporting UNRWA.

The two ministers also discussed efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, support Iraq and the developments in Afghanistan, stressing the necessity of maintaining its security and stability.  

 In joint press remarks, Safadi said that the discussions went over measures and projects to ensure the implementation of the Qatari Emir’s initiative to invest $500 million in Jordan as well as to provide  20,000 jobs for Jordanians in the Gulf country. 

Safadi also expressed thanks for Qatar’s efforts towards supporting UNRWA, highlighting the agency’s key role in serving the Palestinian refugees.

Coordination between Amman and Doha is ongoing to support Palestinians to find “a political horizon” and to improve the Palestinian economy, Safadi said, expressing appreciation of Qatar’s support for Palestinians.   

Safadi added that talks also referred to the situation Afghanistan, highlighting Qatar’s efforts towards finding a political solution that maintains the country’s security.  

Safadi also stressed that Jordan and Qatar share the objective to resolve regional crises and operationalise joint Arab action, in addition to realising “a regional environment full of opportunities and accomplishments”.

Sheikh Mohammad said that his visit to the Kingdom was a follow-up to the 2020 visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to the Kingdom to emphasise the importance of implementing the initiatives launched by the two leaderships. 

He also lauded the Kingdom’s prominent role in the region.  

On the Syrian crisis, the Qatari ministerl said that talks emphasised the necessity of finding a political solution. He also added that the two sides drew attention to the importance of supporting Baghdad’s stability, mainly supporting the Iraqi government’s efforts towards stability and prosperity.

Sheikh Mohammad noted that the two sides agreed to continue coordination over means of supporting Jordan-Iraq-Egypt tripartite cooperation mechanism.

On Afghanistan, Sheikh Mohammad highlighted the international concern over the accelerated events in the country, stressing the need for preserving the properties and security of the Afghan people.