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AMMAN — Dozens of Jordanians gathered at Nakheel Square in the capital on Monday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Amman hotel bombings, which killed some 60 people and injured 115. 

Participants carried banners with slogans in solidarity with the victims of the bombings, which were claimed by Al Qaeda in Iraq, and played national songs.   

Khaldoun Hamdan, one of the organisers of the event, said they wanted to send a message that Jordan stands against terrorism. 

“The war on terror is the duty of every Jordanian. Also, these difficult times further contribute to strengthening the unity of Jordanian people and their resolve,” he told The Jordan Times.

AMMAN — Human rights and freedoms are at the top of Jordan’s priorities and the government pledges continued efforts in these areas, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani said Monday.

The government has made significant steps in enhancing and protecting human rights, the minister said during a session held by the Centre for Defending the Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ).

The purpose of the session was to review the government’s progress in implementing recommendations made by countries at the UN Universal Periodic Review of the Kingdom’s human rights record in Geneva in October 2013.

Momani, who is also government spokesperson, said Jordan accepted 126 out of 173 recommendations made by countries at the 2013 UN review, while it refused 34 recommendations and is currently studying the remaining 13.

Basel Tarawneh, the government’s coordinator for human rights, said all ministries and public agencies have begun conducting periodic reviews of their legislation to be in line with international charters and conventions and Jordan’s commitments to human rights, including those from the UN review.

CDFJ President Nidal Mansour stressed the importance of partnerships between public agencies, civil society organisations and media outlets in enhancing human rights in the Kingdom.

Speaking at the session, Mansour noted that while Jordan received only one recommendation on improving media freedom at the 2009 UN Universal Periodic Review, it received 18 such recommendations at the 2013 review.

The government accepted 15 of the recommendations and voiced reservations over three, he said at the session, which attracted judges, lawyers, officials, legislators and media personnel.

One of the recommendations that drew reservations concerned measures to enhance and support the freedom and independence of the media, especially electronic media, and to consider cancelling a provision requiring websites to register with the government, according to a CDFJ document presented during the session. Jordan also voiced reservations over scrapping recent amendments to the Penal Code, the Electronic Crimes Law and the Press and Publications Law and removing financial obstacles facing media outlets.

Some of the recommendations accepted by the government involve cancelling or amending all articles in the Penal Code that impose “blatantly unfair” restrictions on freedom of expression, as well as amending the Press and Publications Law to ensure full protection for freedom of expression and to reduce restrictions imposed on publishing information on the Internet, according to the CDFJ document.

AMMAN — A total of 250 electricity meters in the capital have been changed following the heavy rainfall the capital witnessed in the past few days, an official at the Jordanian Electric Power Company (JEPCO) said on Monday. 

Amman witnessed heavy last Thursday that caused floods in several areas, killing four people, including two children. 

During the heavy rains, power disruptions were limited, said Hassan Abdullah, head of the electricity network at JEPCO.

“We had to change these meters because rainwater flooded basements and lower floors where they are usually located. The teams changed meters in several areas including Sweifieh, Shafa Badran and downtown Amman,” Abdullah told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The official explained that power cuts were required in several locations to enable other parties such as the Civil Defence Department to continue their work. 

He added that a limited amount of soil erosion and flooded cars caused damage to electricity poles.  

“On Thursday, we dealt with a total of 580 complaints, while on Friday, the number of complaints decreased significantly to 400. On Saturday, the number of complaints dropped further to 350. We deal with between 120 and 150 complaints on normal days,” Abdullah noted.     

The JEPCO call centre, he added, has 120 telephone lines and 60 employees, and these resources will be increased in the future. 

“On normal days, between 150 and 170 employees work in the areas covered by JEPCO as part of a shift systems, while on emergency days we deploy 1,600 workers — during the past few days, we only used half of the emergency number,” Abdullah said. 

JEPCO covers Amman, Zarqa, Madaba and Balqa governorates.

“The population of Jordan is growing, especially given the number of Syrian refugees in the Kingdom, and this has increased demand for electricity. The network is always undergoing development so that we can meet the growing demand,” the official added.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg on Sunday discussed ways through which the international community can further support Jordan in hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees.  

King Abdullah and Solberg addressed the importance of focusing on providing assistance, grants and soft financing tools for the Kingdom, in addition to the possibility of developing infrastructure services at development zones and attracting further investments to Jordan.

At the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the King thanked Norway for supporting Jordan, especially by helping the country handle the repercussions of hosting Syrian refugees and continue its humanitarian mission. 

With regards to the latest developments in Syria, His Majesty stressed the need for intensifying efforts to arrive at a political and a comprehensive solution to the crisis that would end the cycle of killing and safeguard the country’s unity, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The two sides also discussed regional and international counter-terrorism efforts.  

Solberg stressed her country’s commitment to fostering its cooperation with Jordan, expressing her appreciation of the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve regional peace.

She also reaffirmed her country’s support for Jordan in hosting Syrian refugees. 

Jordan is scheduled to open an embassy in Oslo next year to further boost Jordanian-Norwegian ties, the statement said.  

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met with Solberg and discussed regional developments, especially the crisis in Syria and the Palestinian question.

At a meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani, Ensour highlighted the pressures placed on the country’s resources, economy and services and the Kingdom’s efforts to meet refugees’ needs. 

He also expressed Jordan’s appreciation of Norway’s stance in support of the Palestinian cause and highlighted its efforts to arrive at a comprehensive and a just solution to the Palestinian question, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.   

Solberg, who is visiting the Kingdom to meet with senior Jordanian officials and learn firsthand about the conditions of Syrian refugees, reiterated her understanding of Jordan’s position on the issue of hosting refugees, expressing her country’s readiness to assist Jordan in this regard.     

NICOSIA — Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades commended the good ties between his country and Jordan and said his visit to the Kingdom, which is scheduled to start today, will look into means of enhancing them.

In an interview with The Jordan Times and Al Rai in the Cypriot capital last week, the president said his talks in Amman with His Majesty King Abdullah will tackle regional developments and issues of mutual concern
(see text of interview).

The president voiced hope that the opening of a Cypriot embassy in Amman in 2009 and the opening of a Jordanian embassy in Nicosia “in the near future” would help advance bilateral cooperation, noting that trade exchange between the two countries was on the rise, with a 40 per cent increase registered in 2015 compared to last year.

“But there is still more to be done.”

This is the reason, Anastasiades said, that he is bringing with him to Amman a business delegation to explore new opportunities of cooperation.

“I want to assure you that Jordan has a special place both in our regional priorities and in our broader foreign policy, and we will continue advancing our mutually beneficial relationship, to the benefit of our peoples,” noted Anastasiades, who emphasised that cooperation between the two “moderate” countries duing these tough regional times has become a must.

“Taking into consideration the current situation in the wider Middle East and the developments in the Arab world, the cooperation between two moderate countries like ours becomes even more important and imperative,” he said. 

“In a broader context, our two countries share the common objective of creating an environment conducive to lasting peace, stability and development in the region and beyond, in which Jordan is a factor of stability and has an essential role to play.”

Anastasiades praised Jordan’s role in dealing with the Syrian refugee problem and hosting around 1.5 million Syrians despite the economic burdens and the challenges it is facing.

He said his talks will also delve into the Kingdom’s ties with the European Union, reiterating “that Cyprus, as a true and sincere friend of Jordan, will continue to exercise a positive influence when Jordanian interests are discussed to ensure that the refugee influx does not jeopardise the development gains achieved in your country in recent years”.

In this context, the president said his country fully supports the establishment of the Mobility Partnership between Jordan and the EU, noting that the Cyprus problem will also be one of the subjects to be tackled in Amman.

“I will also inform about the Cyprus problem and the latest developments and convey my government’s sincere appreciation for Jordan’s principled position on the Cyprus issue, and its support for the termination of the Turkish occupation and the reunification of the country on the basis of the UN Security Council’s relevant resolutions.”

Anastasiades said he remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached between the two Cypriot communities in accordance with the pertinent UN resolutions and the EU acquis and based on former agreements between the two sides.

“I want to assure that I remain committed to tirelessly work towards finding a settlement and we shall succeed at the very end, I am sure, with the contribution of all stakeholders and all those involved,” he said.

Noting that the choice of a new Turkish Cypriot leader has improved the negotiations climate and led to some progress since May, he emphasised that significant challenges remain to be tackled by negotiators.

Turning to regional developments, the Cypriot president said the international community has failed to understand the complexities of the situation and called for comprehensively tackling root causes of the turmoil.

“It is not enough to take action against those individuals responsible for terrorist attacks. We should direct our efforts towards the enablers of terrorism,” he said.

“It is not enough to rescue people from sinking boats. We should direct our efforts against human traffickers.” Instead of only focusing on financial support to economic migrants, Anastasiades called for improving socioeconomic conditions in their home countries.

Tackling natural gas discoveries in Cypriot waters, the president said his government’s goal was to find the best ways to serve the interests of his people, while at the same time continuing talks with other countries on means to maximise the benefits.

Anastasiades said he views regional gas pipelines as the preferred monetisation option for these discoveries, particularly from the Aphrodite gas field south of the Mediterranean island.

Cypriot officials interviewed by The Jordan Times in Nicosia said their country now plans to export gas to Egypt to enable it to meet its domestic needs while also supplying gas to two liquefied natural gas plants based in the North African country for re-export purposes.

They said Jordan can be one of the importers of Cypriot gas, but that it was up to officials from both sides to discuss details of any such deals, mainly means of delivery.

They expressed optimism about more discoveries in Cypriot waters, noting that the exploration process “is only beginning”.

But the Cypriot president told The Jordan Times and Al Rai that he does not see gas revenues as the solution to economic problems, which Cyprus has been countering over the past years with great success.

“We don’t see natural gas revenues as the solution to economic problems.  We cannot afford to be short-sighted,” he said.

“We are currently considering the creation of the necessary mechanisms which will allow this and future generations of Cypriot citizens to benefit from the natural gas revenues.”

AMMAN – The government on Sunday unveiled what it described as a disciplined and growth-oriented budget bill for 2016 with an estimated spending of JD8.496 billion and a projected deficit of 3.1 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). 

Finance Minister Umayya Toukan said the growth projection for next year is put at 3.7 percent, while inflation is estimated at 3.1 per cent in the 2016 draft general budget law, endorsed by the Cabinet Sunday and referred to Parliament. 

The government's economic growth projection for next year was also forecast by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. 

The Kingdom's exports are predicted to expand by 5 per cent next year compared to an 8 per cent decline expected by the end of this year, and imports are expected to grow by 2.5 per cent, Toukan added. 

The finance minister said domestic revenues are expected to grow by nearly 11 per cent to JD6.775 billion in 2016, from JD6.095 billion re-estimated for 2015, while grants are projected to reach JD814 million, up from the JD731 million re-estimated for this year. 

He said the grants included in the spending bill were committed by donors, noting that the $1.25 billion grant Qatar was supposed to offer to Jordan as part of the Gulf Cooperation Council pledge in 2011 was not included in next year's draft budget law. 

With overall revenues, domestic and grants estimated to be around JD7.589 billion, a JD907 million deficit is forecast as the government plans to spend JD8.496 billion — JD1.311 billion in capital expenditure and JD7.185 billion in current expenditure. 

Noting that capital spending is projected to go up by JD215 million over the JD1.096 billion re-estimated for 2015, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said next year’s budget is growth-oriented and aims to lift economic growth rates, describing the draft law as disciplined because of government measures to control spending and increase revenues. 

“The Kingdom’s economic growth was hit by regional conditions as turmoil has taken a toll on Jordan’s cargo movement, trade and security spending,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Prime Ministry following the Cabinet’s approval of the draft budget  law. 

The direct cost of hosting around 1.5 million Syrians on the Treasury is estimated at hundreds of millions of dinars, he added. 

Momani said the budget was planned on the assumption that oil prices will be around $60 a barrel, explaining that although low oil prices had a positive impact on Jordan’s economy, the government’s revenues from fuel products dropped by JD150 million this year. 

The value of interest on loans the government has to pay next year was put at JD920 million, Toukan said at the press conference, which General Budget Department Director Mohammad Hazaimeh and Finance Ministry Secretary General Ezeddin Kanakriyeh also attended. 

The public debt is expected to reach JD22.489 billion by the end of this year, representing 83.6 per cent of the GDP, according to the finance minister, while in 2016 its ratio to the GDP is projected to go down to 83 per cent despite its anticipated growth to JD23.9 billion. 

The Kingdom’s GDP is expected to reach JD28.796 billion in 2016, up from JD26.913 billion expected by the end of 2015. 

AMMAN — As Jordan marks the 10th anniversary of the bombings that ripped through three hotels in Amman, killing 60 people and injuring 115, experts said Sunday that young Jordanians must be at the heart of efforts to counter terrorism and radical ideologies.

Empowerment of young Jordanians is a cornerstone in the fight against terrorist groups such as Daesh that thrive on brainwashing young people, luring them into their ranks and posing as having the solution to the plethora of challenges they face, the experts said.

The coordinated attacks against three of the capital’s hotels in November 2005, which were conducted by Al Qaeda in Iraq, unified Jordanians’ spirit in the face of terrorism, which for long has been targeting the country’s stability and security, according to experts.

“Jordan has long been at the forefront of fighting terrorism and the Amman bombings unified Jordanians’ spirit and persistence in facing terrorism,” Hussein Khuzai, professor of sociology at Balqa Applied University, told The Jordan Times.

“After the bombings, all Jordanians felt they are targeted, which strengthened the internal front and foiled the terrorists’ scheme to weaken Jordanians … they have become aware that there is no objective for terrorism but to kill, terrorise people, spread chaos and destroy all that is positive,” Khuzai said.

Amidst regional developments, the surfacing of terrorist organisations in Syria and Iraq in particular, and their relentless and unfortunately effective campaigns to recruit young jihadists via social networking sites, more intensified efforts are needed to empower young people in Jordan and address their issues of concern, he said.

“Young Jordanians should be empowered to become more immune to the attractive propaganda from the terrorist groups that deploy religion and present themselves as problem solvers… Addressing young people’s needs is vital in the war on terror,” Khuzai added.

‘ Not just preaching’

Economist Hosam Ayesh said fighting terrorism should not only be at the military level, but also by draining terrorists’ resources for personnel.

“To stop young people from joining terrorist groups such as Daesh, we need to provide services to them, listen to their needs and — most importantly — engage them in political life and decision making,” Ayesh told The Jordan Times.

“Preaching is good but not enough. We need tangible measures and efforts on the ground to empower youths at the political, social, cultural and economic levels,” he noted, stressing that the Amman bombings have made Jordanians more vigilant about the threats of terrorism.

Noting that terrorist groups take advantage of the problems of unemployment, poverty and the lack of hope and opportunities, Ayesh said improving young people’s living conditions is vital in the war on terror.

“We need to prevent marginalisation of young people and we need youth-tailored programmes and policies to fight terrorism,” said the economist.

 ‘Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam’

Safi Kasasbeh, the father of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh who was captured by Daesh late last year and burnt alive in a cage early this year, said efforts should be focused on young Jordanians when tackling propaganda by terrorist groups.

“On the anniversary of the Amman bombings, my message to young Jordanians is that they should be aware that terrorists have nothing to do with Islam,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that sometimes some young people join these terrorist organisations… Many Jordanian heroes died defending this country and its security…Young Jordanians should honour their sacrifices,” Kasasbeh told The Jordan Times.

“Terrorist groups have different faces but they are terrorists at the end of the day. We all need to be united and join forces in the fight against terror.”

‘Bombings strengthened Jordan’s resolve’

Fayez Dweiri, a retired major general and a military analyst, said the Amman bombings hardened Jordan’s resolve and vigilance to prevent any security breaches and intensify efforts to fight radical groups.

“Jordan needs to continue to be in the lead when it comes to combating terrorism, especially in light of the regional developments. The war on terror is our war,” Dweiri noted.

Stressing the importance of military operations against terrorist groups, the retired serviceman said awareness campaigns to counter radical ideologies are equally important.

“Many young Jordanians who fought with some of these terror groups were killed. Today, we need to remind all young people of the clear and genuine principles of Islam, the  image of which is being tarnished by these groups.”

“Empowering youths is the country’s safety valve, and as our war against terrorism is ongoing, we need to continue to strengthen the internal front,” Dweiri stressed.

AMMAN — Jordan on Sunday stressed the importance of Arab countries' joint efforts, especially those of media outlets, in combating terrorism and radicalism.  

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Amman hotel bombings, Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani stressed Jordan's continued efforts to end terrorism, noting that the Kingdom is part of the international anti-terrorism coalition.

Momani, who is also minister of state for media affairs and communications, underlined Jordan's diplomatic efforts and the significant role of the media in countering terror. 

On November 9, 2005 suicide bombings claimed by Al Qaeda in Iraq targeted three of Amman’s hotels, killing and wounding tens of innocent civilians. 

The nation’s response to the bombings, Momani said, showed the state’s strength and its resilience in the fight against terror, noting that the “black agenda” of the terrorists and their “cowardly methods” have been exposed to the world.

On the occasion, he paid tribute to the martyrs and their sacrifices in defending the country.

Also on Sunday, churches performed prayers to honour the victims of the bombings, expressing their rejection of all acts of terrorism and praying that Jordan remains safe. 

AMMAN — Jordan and the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Sunday signed two loan agreements worth $126 million to finance electricity and water projects.

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met with EIB Vice President Dario Scannapieco and voiced Jordan's appreciation for the financial and technical assistance the bank provides to the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The assistance has enabled the government to finance some development projects in the infrastructure and water sectors, such as the Amman ring road project and the Disi Water Conveyance Project, Ensour noted.

Scannapieco, who is on his first official visit to the Kingdom, stressed the EIB's support for Jordan's development efforts and its readiness to finance the implementation of high-priority projects, according to Petra.

Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury and Scannapieco signed the first loan agreement, worth $72 million, which will finance the National Electric Power Company's (NEPCO) Green Corridor project, a ministry statement said.

The project is a top priority scheme within NEPCO’s plans in electric conveyance aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the national grid through building a substation in northern Maan, extending power cables and expanding the Qatraneh and Queen Alia International Airport stations.

These measures are aimed at enabling the grid to accommodate new power loads generated from renewable energy sources to reach the envisioned goal of the national strategy by raising the renewable energy contribution to the energy mix to 10 per cent by 2020, the ministry statement said.

The total cost of the project is $159.7 million, the statement said, with the French Development Agency (AFD) providing a $54.9 million soft loan, NEPCO contributing $12.6 million, in addition to an EU grant of $20.2 million offered under the Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF).

Also on Sunday, Fakhoury, Scannapieco and other concerned Jordanian officials signed a $54 million worth agreement related to the Wadi Al Arab Water System II, the ministry statement added.

The total cost of the project is $112 million, with the AFD contributing to $43 million through a soft loan and the EU NIF providing $15 million, the ministry said, noting that the EIB is the leading financer of the project.

The EIB’s loan will help treat and convey 30 million cubic metres per year of fresh water from the King Abdullah Canal in the northern Jordan Valley to the Zabda Reservoir which serves Irbid, some 80km north of Amman, according to an EIB statement.

“Jordan attaches great importance to the signing of the two loan agreements,” Fakhoury said at the signing ceremony, noting that the projects are timely, addressing two priority sectors.

He thanked the EIB for its support.

“The EIB has significantly contributed [to] assisting Jordan in its development efforts over the past years via supporting key sectors such as mining, industry, water, education, and energy in addition to private sector operations. Jordan is determined to further cooperate with the bank in the coming period...” the minister added. 

AMMAN — Mustafa Barari was sworn in on Sunday before His Majesty King Abdullah as president of the Ombudsman Bureau.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh attended the swearing-in ceremony, a Royal Court statement said.