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AMMAN — Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji and Azeri Ambassador to Jordan Sabir Aghabayov on Tuesday discussed ways of boosting municipal and cultural cooperation between Amman and Baku.

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Tuesday met separately with EU Ambassador Joanna Wronecka and Kazakh Ambassador Bulat Sarsenbayev and discussed parliamentary and bilateral relations.

Wronecka said the EU is interested in boosting relations with Jordan, which she described as “a strategic partner”.

Sarsenbayev delivered a letter to Tarawneh from his Kazakh counterpart, inviting him to visit Kazakhstan. 

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is conducting a study to reorganise the capital and end violations against public spaces and municipal regulations, Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji said during a meeting with senior staff on Tuesday.

Biltaji added that the study targets building code violations, street stalls and furniture shops that trespass on pavements and streets.

Violators will be fined to prevent these practices in the future, the mayor stressed, underlining the importance of restoring confidence in inspectors, who are “the eyes of GAM in the field” and activate their role in protecting the image of Amman. 

AMMAN — French Ambassador to Jordan Caroline Dumas on Tuesday visited Dar Al Wifaq Al Osari home where she was briefed on the services it provides to domestic violence victims.

Dumas said her country is committed to eliminating violence against women, ensuring gender equality and empowering women.

The Dar Al Wifaq Al Osari home, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Social Development, helps around 900 women who suffer domestic violence every year.

In May 2013, the home won a UN Public Service Award for Gender, in recognition of its efforts and achievements.

AMMAN — Jordan ranks first globally in the number of tourist attractions, housing more than 100,000 archaeological and tourist sites, Tourism Minister Nidal Katamine said on Tuesday.

During a meeting attended by Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Director General Abdul Razaq Arabiyat, the minister noted that there is a “major” problem in promoting the Kingdom as a tourism hub, calling for bolstering efforts to market Jordan globally. 

MANAMA — Jordan’s Ambassador to Bahrain Mohammad Siraj on Tuesday conveyed his condolences to Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Bahraini government and people over the death of three security personnel on Monday.

The ambassador expressed Jordan’s solidarity with the Bahraini people in facing terrorism and “blind violence”, and reiterated its rejection of all forms of terrorism.  

MAFRAQ — A total of 1,258 Syrians entered Jordan on Monday, Brig. Gen. Wadah Hmoud, director of the Syrian refugee camps administration said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 65 Syrians from the refugee camps returned to their country, he added.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in March 2011, 606,320 refugees entered Jordan, 111,950 of whom are residing at refugee camps, Hmoud said.

AMMAN — The National Goodwill Campaign on Tuesday presented 500 food parcels to families receiving aid from the Jabal Nadeef Orphanage, donated by Mohammad Abu Sufeh.

The facility provides care to 900 orphans and gives periodic assistance to around 1,000 families residing in Jabal Nadeef area, according to orphanage supervisor Ayoub Khamis.

Abdul Salam Abbadi, deputy president of the campaign’s higher committee, highlighted the campaign’s role in extending a helping hand to local communities. 

AMMAN — The respect and appreciation His Majesty King Abdullah enjoys at the international level makes a diplomat’s mission successful before it even starts, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said on Tuesday.

Delivering an address at a graduation ceremony for the 11th batch of new diplomats, he called on them to defend Jordan’s stances and highlight its achievements wherever they are.

Jordan Institute of Diplomacy (JID) President Omar Rifai underlined the JID’s commitment to prepare competent Jordanian diplomats and provide them with the needed skills. 

AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a railway station in southwest China.

Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani expressed Jordan’s condolences to the Chinese government and people, stressing the Kingdom’s stance on confronting terrorism.

Five knife-wielding thugs killed 29 people and injured 143 in Kunming last week, according to Agence France-Presse.