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AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Sunday called on the families of Jordanian citizens Mousa Sharif Abbarah, Mohammad Islam Omar Qasim Al Diri and Mohammad Abu Klib to visit the ministry’s consulate affairs department or the operations centre for an important issue, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — The National Electric Power Company and AES Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday for the development and implementation of a 20 megawatt battery energy storage system in the Kingdom.

The system is planned to be located in Al Manakher in east Amman’s and will take a year to start operations from its final approval, the corporation said in a statement to The Jordan Times. “This project… will contribute to reducing the cost of integrating renewable energy into the grid, allowing Jordan an efficient use of its solar and wind resources,” AES Corporation said.

The system is built with battery technology from “best-in-class suppliers” and incorporates AES’ eight years of experience operating this system in several markets. AES Corporation initiated investing in Jordan in 2007 with the construction of the Amman East Power Plant in Al Manakher. The overall investment in this project, operating since 2009, represents more than $300 million.

AMMAN — A 46-year-old man died on Sunday of severe burns after reportedly setting himself on fire on the roof of his house in an area in north Irbid, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

According to Princess Basma Hospital Director Akram Khasawneh, the man died as a result of the severe burns all over his body. The body was sent to the forensic medical centre of the northern region, according to the Jordan. 

AMMAN — The Public Security Department’s Arab and International Police Department (AIPD) has embarked on measures to have INTERPOL database resources available at the Kingdom’s border crossings. Director of AIPD Col.

Bilal Awad said Jordan’s Interpol office, in coordination with other concerned agencies, has started measures to provide a database that contains all information about wanted suspects at the Arab and international levels. Awad expects the project to be completed by mid-2016, noting that access to the Interpol database will facilitate work of the AIPD at border crossings.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah met on Saturday with US Secretary of State John Kerry and discussed regional developments, especially the situation in Jerusalem and efforts to revive the Middle East peace process.

The two sides also addressed developments related to the crisis in Syria, and ways to deal with them, according to a Royal Court statement. 

They also reviewed the conditions in Iraq and counter-terrorism efforts at the meeting, which was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, King's Office Director Jafar Hassan, US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells and Kerry's accompanying delegation.  

At a joint press conference held by Judeh and Kerry, both spoke of the urgency of the current situation and the need to immediately cease all violence in the area. Both also emphasised the necessity of renewed peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Kerry stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was committed to maintaining the unchanged status quo on holy sites in Jerusalem, news that Judeh welcomed at the press conference, adding that he would have comments on Netanyahu's statement.

Kerry also stated: "I am very pleased to announce today that Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed to what I think is an excellent suggestion by King Abdullah, to provide 24-hour video coverage of all sites" on Al Haram Al Sharif. 

He added: “This will provide comprehensive visibility and transparency and that could really be a game changer in discouraging anybody from disturbing the sanctity of this holy site. I expect Jordanian and Israeli technical teams will meet soon to discuss the implementation of this idea alongside other measures to maintain and enhance order and calm.” 

The importance and potential of this measure was also emphasised by Judeh, who said it “will indeed make a difference, and a very strong difference at that”. 

Kerry also maintained that “Israeli authorities and Jordanian waqf authorities will meet soon in order to strengthen [their] security relationship” in regards to access for worshippers and visitors. 

Judeh mentioned that “the Jordanian waqf in Jerusalem deals with Israel almost on a daily basis” and hoped for a fruitful outcome to “substantive, intensive discussions in the next few days to implement the commitments that we will hear”. 

Judeh also said that a cessation to the violence is necessary and that the Kingdom condemns all killing of civilians, a sentiment echoed by the secretary of state. 

The foreign minister added that things need to calm down in order to “go back to the larger picture… the root cause of the entire problem, [which is] the need to have a Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with a secure Israel and all the peoples and nations of this world, and of this region in particular, living in peace and security”. 

Both men expressed appreciation of each other’s friendship, the long partnership between both nations, and of His Majesty’s role in guiding the region and leading Jordan’s role in maintaining stability in the region. 

They both stated that they will continue to work closely together to reach an end to the violence and aggression at Al Haram Al Sharif and to resume negotiations leading to a two-state solution.

AMMAN — Jordan and Russia have agreed to coordinate military action in Syria, setting up a "special working mechanism" in the Kingdom's capital, according to senior officials from the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh made the remarks during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Vienna Friday to discuss the latest developments in Syria and efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The meeting came as part of consultation and coordination between the two nations, building upon a recent phone call between His Majesty King Abdullah and Russian President Vladimir Putin to unify international efforts aimed at containing the Syrian crisis and finding a political solution, Petra said.

"The military coordination mechanism between Jordan and Russia concerns southern Syria and aims to ensure security of the Kingdom's northern frontiers," Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani told The Jordan Times Friday, adding that coordination between the two nations is not new and occurs on all levels.

Speaking from Vienna — where he was attending talks with senior officials from the US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to explore political solutions to Syria’s civil war — and broadcasted by Rossiya-24 television channel, Lavrov said: “The militaries of the two countries have agreed to coordinate their actions through a working mechanism in Amman.”

“We think that other states involved in the war against terrorism can join this mechanism as well,” he added.

Russia, which is bombing rebel targets in Syria in support of its ally President Bashar Assad, has already forged close cooperation with the governments of Iraq, Syria and Iran.

Moscow’s deal with Jordan could mark a shift in the alliances engaged in the Syrian conflict, according to a Reuters dispatch from Moscow.

The two foreign ministers reviewed international efforts to counter extremism and terrorism, with Judeh stressing that Jordan has and will always be at the forefront of such endeavours as terrorist organisations have become a threat to international peace and security, Petra added.

Judeh reiterated that extremist groups seek to distort the true image of Islam, referring to His Majesty’s statements that the war against terrorism and extremism is a battle Muslims and Arabs must fight to defend their religion and noble civilisation. 

Judeh and Lavrov also discussed Israel’s continued attacks and violations, with the former stressing that these assaults constitute a clear breach of international and humanitarian law and must be ceased immediately.

The minister once again stressed the Kingdom’s responsibility and custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and its ability to deploy diplomatic and legal measures. 

He also highlighted the importance of negotiations leading to a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders and according to international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, Petra reported.

The Russian minister commended the Kingdom’s pivotal role in tackling regional challenges and its efforts aimed to achieve peace and security in the region, voicing his country’s readiness to support these efforts and continue its cooperation with Jordan. 

To date, Russia has rejected Western calls for Assad to step down, saying Syria’s leadership can only be decided by the Syrian people via elections. In his clearest sign of support for the embattled leader so far, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted him in Moscow this week.

In a separate meeting on Friday, Judeh met with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz to discuss bilateral relations and recent developments in the region. 

The two ministers reviewed efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, developments in Jerusalem, the situation in Syria, and stressed the importance of a political solution to the crisis. They also discussed developments in various countries including Libya, Yemen and Iraq.

Kurz voiced his nation’s support for Jordan and its efforts under His Majesty’s leadership.

AMMAN – The Kingdom's 2016 state budget would assume an average oil price of $60 per barrel and a gross domestic product growth rate of 3.7 per cent, according to the General Budget Department (GBD). 

The budget bill of 2015 was planned on an average price of $100 a barrel for Brent crude, but for the period of 2016-2018 the spending bills would be based on $60 a barrel, according to a circular sent by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour to budget planners. 

GBD Director Mohammad Hazaimeh told The Jordan Times that the economic growth assumption for next year was put at 3.7 per cent, which is the same projection of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. 

For 2017 and 2018 the economy is expected to grow by 4.5 per cent, he said. 

Regarding inflation in the 2016 spending bill, which is still in preparation, the GBD director said it is forecast to reach 3.1 per cent next year, 2.4 per cent in 2017 and 2.1 in 2018, adding that national exports are projected to grow by 5 per cent next year. 

Imports are forecast to grow by 2.5 per cent in 2016. 

On the size of the budget, Hazaimeh said the exact figure is still unclear as planners are still discussing the financial needs of government agencies, indicating that the main pillars of the budget are set to be finalised next month. 

 World Bank revises growth rate for 2015

In a report released recently by the World Bank on the Middle East and North Africa Economic Monitor –– titled: Inequalities, Uprisings and Conflict in the Arab World –– the global financial institution said Jordan’s economy is expected to slow down in 2015 and cut its growth forecast from 3.1 per cent to 2.5, building the forecast on the growth rate recorded in the first quarter, at 2 per cent. 

Also this month, the IMF lowered its growth forecast of the Kingdom's economy to 2.9 per cent based on economic expansion achieved in the first quarter. 

The bank also attributed the slowdown in economic activity to the effects of security spillovers from regional conflicts and a total shutdown of the trade routes with Syria and Iraq. 

The slowdown to 2 per cent growth in the first quarter of 2015, which according to the report is the slowest since the third quarter of 2010, was led by a contraction in construction and “hotels and restaurants” sectors by 3.4 per cent and 6 per cent respectively, while the “mining and quarrying and agriculture” did better during the said period. 

AMMAN — Media outlets need to exercise self-criticism and fight malpractice as they seek higher levels of freedom, experts and lawmakers said Saturday.

Media outlets should combat violations such as slander or exploitation for personal gain or advertising, which tarnish the image of the profession and result in a loss of credibility, they said at the opening of a conference titled “Media and Current Challenges” held by The Jordan Press Association (JPA).

“There are some violations committed by media outlets and we at JPA need to do more to address them as their continuation unaddressed opens the door for endorsing legislation that, while aimed at preventing violations, may at the same time restrict media freedom,” JPA President Tareq Momani said at the conference, attended by media experts, chief editors of dailies and academics.

“We must be capable of self-criticism. We must stop these violations before it is too late. Our profession is in danger, with some people posing as journalists and distorting its image,” the head of the 1,200-strong syndicate warned.

Momani said that for media outlets to enjoy higher levels of freedom, they should be objective and professional.

Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said addressing violations in some media outlets is fundamental for the profession to restore its credibility, and retain and expand its audience.

“Responsible media can enjoy maximum degrees of freedom and thus be a drive for positive change… Media need to commit to a set of ethics and protect the rights of others,” he said at the conference.

Participants at the event stressed the need for developing the skills of journalists and media practitioners.

“Conducting training for staff in the field is very important to hone their skills in line with highest standards of professionalism and to prevent the occurrence of any violations,” the Lower House speaker noted.

In addition to a number of topics related to media and media freedom, participants also discussed issues related to the current situation of print media compared with online news outlets.

AMMAN — Amidst difficult financial conditions and the decline in advertising and distribution, newspapers in Jordan should focus on breathing life into their websites and improving their content, media leaders said Saturday.

Since 2011, newspaper ads and distribution have declined between 50 and 65 per cent, following the global financial crisis that hit print media, Ramadan Rawashdeh, chairman of the Jordan Press Foundation, said at a conference titled “Media and Current Challenges” held by the Jordan Press Association (JPA).

“The concept of citizen journalism, the presence of a large number of news websites and the heavy usage of social media networks are all issues that have affected print media outlets, which need to adapt to continue to operate,” Rawashdeh said at a session on the current situation and future of print media.

Mohammad Al Tal, chief editor of Ad-Dustour daily, said newspaper administrations should focus on parallel investments to support their dailies.

“Print media can rise again and take a leading position by focusing on credibility and professionalism,” Tal said.

Tareq Momani, chief editor of Al Rai daily and JPA president, said newspapers need to enhance their performance and coverage to attract a wider readership.

In addition, the government should increase support to newspapers, he said.

“In France, for example, the government allocates about 600 million euros annually to supporting newspapers and this does not affect their independence or their objectivity,” said Momani.

For Jumana Ghneimat, chief editor of Al Ghad daily, traditional media outlets need to be ready for the future and make their websites interactive and updated around-the-clock to be able to compete in the Internet age.

“Newspapers should focus on providing value-added content… It will take maybe 15 years for newspapers to cease to be printed... Therefore, they should prepare themselves for the future and the digital world,” she added.

To be able to continue operations, newspapers should resort to controlling their expenditures, Atef Joulani, chief editor of Al Sabeel daily, said.

“Newspapers have two options; either to withdraw and shut down or to adapt to the new media environment.”