Netherlands to tell Jordan's story to EU, world — Dutch ambassador

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah's visit to The Netherlands was a "complete" success in many aspects, primarily as it put Jordan on the focus map of the Dutch government, Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom Barbara Joziasse said. 

Joziasse said that the King's visit in March to her country was an "opportunity for the Dutch government and people to think about Jordan, its role and efforts in the region".

The ambassador's remarks came during a meeting with journalists on Monday on the occasion of the Netherlands King's Day (Koningsdag), King Willem Alexander’s birthday, on April 27.

The King's Day (formerly Queen's Day) is a public holiday celebrated in various cities across The Netherlands with throngs lining the streets and canals wearing orange, the national colour.

"It is such a special day for the Dutch people," the ambassador said, noting that King Willem Alexander accessed the throne in 2013 as the first male monarch from the Netherlands’ ruling House of Orange. 

Joziasse noted that The Netherlands' classification of Jordan as a "focus country" aims at enhancing bilateral relations in all fields.

"Holland will play the role of facilitator to promote Jordan's story to the EU and the world," the ambassador said, adding, "not every country knows about Jordan's humanitarian role to refugees seeking safe haven and its efforts to achieve peace, stability and security in the region and to spread moderation and co-existence."

"Receiving people in need and keeping a peaceful environment are among the major components of Jordan's story," she continued.

Following the King's visit to The Netherlands, the ambassador said that the two sides have agreed to discuss "terrorism in Europe" during the Aqaba Meetings. 

Over the past two years, the Aqaba Meetings featured discussions held by His Majesty with heads and representatives of a number of countries from East Africa, Southeast Asia and the Balkans.

The world's second-largest agricultural exporter after the US, the Netherlands recently signed an agreement to increase the Dutch-Jordanian cooperation in agriculture and water following His Majesty's visit.

Joziasse noted that her country will improve its cooperation with Jordan in the economic growth sector, job creation, education, vocational training, expertise exchange and energy, as well as agriculture and water.

"All now is in the design phase. I expect the Dutch government to decide its exact programmes in the summer," she said, anticipating her country's government to pledge an "important assistance" to Jordan during the second Brussels Conference on "Supporting the future of Syria and the region".