Razzaz holds talks with Italian president over boosting cooperation

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz and Italian President Sergio Mattarella held talks on Thursday focused on enhancing bilateral ties, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.

Razzaz and Mattarella, during the discussions attended by ministers and officials from both sides, expressed their keenness to open wider scopes of cooperation in various fields, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister welcomed the Italian president’s “important visit” to Jordan, stressing that it provides an opportunity to develop bilateral relations and a “distinguished partnership” between the two countries.

He added that the visit was an opportunity to discuss several issues of mutual concern, and that Amman and Rome see eye to eye on enhancing partnerships.

The premier expressed the Kingdom’s aspiration to support both countries’ efforts to improve regional security and stability.

Razzaz touched on possible opportunities of cooperation between Jordan and Italy in the economic, commercial, tourist, cultural and agricultural sectors.

During the meeting, President Mattarella expressed his appreciation for His Majesty King Abdullah’s invitation to visit the Kingdom and voiced his admiration of King Abdullah’s vision and his “wisdom and balance” in dealing with regional crises.

The president stressed that stable political and economic conditions have encouraged Italy to boost its cooperation with Jordan, referring to Rome’s willingness to expand cooperation in the political, economic and agricultural sectors.

He added that Italy was keen to benefit from the Kingdom’s geographical location as a gateway for cooperation with other regional countries and to jointly contribute to regional reconstruction efforts.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi and his Italian counterpart Enzo Moavero Milanesi also met on Wednesday to discuss implementing the outcomes of His Majesty King Abdullah and Mattarella’s talks earlier on Wednesday.

The two ministers said that they covered means to coordinate both countries’ stances towards bilateral, regional and international issues, mainly efforts to realise peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution.

During the meeting, the Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh delivered a presentation on possible fields of cooperation pertaining to investment and the possibility of Italian companies taking part in reconstruction efforts in neighbouring countries, as well as increasing the Kingdom’s fertiliser exports to Italy.

He also touched on cooperation in the tourism sector, noting that the number of flights to Italy would increase next summer.

The Italian president and his daughter Laura concluded their visit to the Kingdom late on Thursday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.