Macedonian delegation meets PM, Parliament leaders over ties

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Monday met Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and his accompanying delegation, as part of his official visit to Jordan, which began on Sunday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Razzaz affirmed that the president’s visit established new “promising” opportunities of cooperation at all levels, noting that Jordan and Macedonia share a common issue of shortage of natural resources. 

The premier stressed that Macedonia and Jordan both depend on their manpower, which gives place for further cooperation between the two countries to counter their common challenges.

Ivanov voiced hope that the visit would contribute to expanding bilateral cooperation, noting that Macedonia has already started implementing a wide range of measures to enhance democracy, inclusive of all political parties. 

The Macedonian president also met Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, with whom he reviewed the fruitful exchanges he had with His Majesty King Abdullah in the field of mutual relations. 

The president voiced his appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, towards Syrian refugees, the Mideast peace process and countering extremism. 

Tarawneh highlighted Jordan’s keenness to strengthen mutual cooperation, especially at the parliamentary affairs level and on the Palestinian cause. He expressed his hope that Macedonia will support the Jordanian vision to solve the Palestinian cause to avoid war and devastation in the region. 

Also on Monday, Ivanov and his delegation met Senate President Faisal Fayez, to whom he expressed his pride in the strength of the Jordanian-Macedonian ties and affirmed his country’s keenness to further develop the bilateral relations. 

After reviewing the latest regional developments, especially the Syrian refugee crisis and the Palestinian cause, Fayez discussed the challenges that Jordan encounters due to the large Syrian refugee influx.  

He noted that Jordan has burdened more than $10 billion since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, adding that the international community failed to implement its commitments to support Jordan and the refugees.

Voicing Jordan’s keenness to enhance its relations with Macedonia on all fronts, the Senate president highlighted King Abdullah’s efforts to achieve regional peace, including by promoting the two-state solution and the establishment of East Jerusalem as the Palestinian state’s capital as the basis of the Israeli-Arab conflicts solution.

Fayez said that Jordan has strong ties with many world countries, noting that its diplomatic leadership represents a model of interfaith, moderation and acceptance of the other. He also reaffirmed Jordan’s call for world peace and fight against terrorism. 

In this regard, he called for strengthening the two countries’ relations, stressing the need for unifying efforts to counter extremism. 

In addition to the Macedonian delegation, the meeting was attended by Jordanian high ranking officials and non-resident Jordanian Ambassador to Macedonia Ismail Rifai.  

Ivanov and his wife Maya Ivanova also visited the Baptism Site on the Jordan River, Petra reported, adding that the president toured the place where Jesus Christ was baptised and visited the Roman Orthodox church, voicing appreciation for Jordan’s care for this religious site.