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AMMAN — Shadi Majali was sworn in as Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) on Tuesday before Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, following the issuance of the Royal Decree approving the Cabinet’s decision to appoint him.

The ceremony took place in accordance with Article 13 of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Law No. 32 of 2000, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

In attendance were the Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs, Abdullah Odwan, and the Secretary General of the Prime Ministry Abdul Latif Najdawi.

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday extended its condolences and expressed solidarity with Egypt following the tragic crash of an Egyptian Air Force aircraft during a training exercise, which resulted in the loss of the entire crew.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah reiterated Jordan’s support for the Egyptian government and people, offering condolences to the victims' families.

Separately, the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF) also mourned the loss of the two Egyptian airmen, who were killed on Monday due to a technical malfunction during the training mission, according to a JAF statement.

AMMAN — Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson MP Dina Bashir on Tuesday met with Italian Ambassador to Jordan Luciano Bizzotti to discuss bilateral relations, particularly at the parliamentary level.

During the meeting, held at the Lower House, the two sides reviewed opportunities to expand cooperation across various sectors, with Bashir highlighting the long-standing ties between Jordan and Italy and the shared interest in deepening cooperation.

Bashir also called for increased Italian investment in the Kingdom, underscoring Jordan’s potential in several promising sectors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

She also briefed the ambassador on His Majesty King Abdullah’s positions on key regional and international issues, particularly Jordan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. 

Bashir stressed the Kingdom’s calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and its ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian and medical aid to civilians in the besieged Strip.

For his part, Bizzotti commended His Majesty’s role in promoting regional security and stability and in supporting the Palestinian people. He also expressed appreciation for the strength of Jordanian-Italian relations and underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation in multiple areas.

The ambassador also reviewed a number of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries aimed at advancing mutual interests.

AMMAN — Public Security Directorate (PSD) Director Maj. Gen.  Obeidallah Maaytah on Tuesday met with Palestinian Police Chief Maj. Gen.  Allam Saqqa and his accompanying delegation to discuss cooperation, particularly in the field of training.

During the meeting, held at PSD headquarters, Maaytah reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to implementing Royal directives aimed at strengthening partnerships with regional and international law enforcement agencies, with a special focus on cooperation with the Palestinian police.

He highlighted the PSD’s ongoing efforts to build the capacities of Palestinian police personnel and support institutional development to help achieve the highest standards of performance, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Saqqa commended the PSD’s advancements across various domains and its ability to provide security and humanitarian services in line with international best practices. He also expressed interest in drawing on the PSD’s accumulated expertise to support the development of Palestinian police capabilities.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday visited three factories in Al Muwaqqar Industrial City that specialise in food products, packaging, and garment manufacturing, and that are creating employment opportunities for Jordanians.

His Majesty’s first stop was at Al Kbous Group for Industrial Trading and Investment factories, which have been producing tea and coffee for local consumption as well as export since the establishment of the group’s Jordan branch in 2013, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Chairman Hassan Al Kbous and CEO Mamoon Al Kbous gave a briefing about the group’s factories, which have a production capacity of 7,200 tonnes and employ around 210 Jordanians.

Founded in Yemen, Al Kbous Group has investments in seven countries in the region and globally, and has chosen to increase its industrial investments in Jordan through the establishment of an industrial potato factory and soft drinks factory.

According to company officials, the group plans, as part of its expansion, to open new markets for its tea products, 95 per cent of which are exported to more than 32 countries.

The King’s next visit was to the Quality Carton Packaging (QPack) factory, a local company founded by ZalatimoIndustries in 2005, which employs 225 Jordanians, the statement said. 

The factory distributes its products to the local market, and exports approximately 7,000 tonnes annually to markets in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Asia.

Group Chairman Marwan Zalatimo and CEO Mohammad Zalatimo gave a briefing on the manufacture of packaging for the food, trade, and shipping sectors, which the factory produces at a capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year.

His Majesty also visited the Pine Tree Company for Textile Manufacturing factory, where CEO Moath Al Saaida gave a briefing about the company, whose exports exceed $100 million annually.

Established in 2014, the Pine Tree Company employs around 600 Jordanians, including 60 industrial engineers, out of a total of 1,730 employees. Jordanians hold 98 per cent of management positions at the factory, which is affiliated with Singaporean sportswear manufacturer Ramatex.

Jordan’s industrial sector employs more than 250,000 employees, 90 per cent of whom are Jordanian, and attracts foreign investments while providing high-quality products that reach international markets, thereby contributing to economic growth.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah received United Kingdom Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren on Tuesday, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The meeting covered the strategic partnership between Jordan and the UK, ways to enhance cooperation in defence and counter-terrorism, as well as the most pressing developments in the region, the statement said. 

AMMAN — Jordan and Syria on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish and activate a Higher Coordination Council, marking a new phase in bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The agreement was signed in Damascus by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi and his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Shibani. The council’s creation had been initially agreed upon during Safadi’s visit to Damascus on April 17.

The inaugural session of the council was co-chaired by Safadiand Shibani and attended by ministers from both governments. From the Jordanian side, the meeting included Water and Irrigation Minister Raed Abu Saud, Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Saleh Kharabsheh, and Transport Minister Wissam Tahtamouni.

Representing Syria were Economy and Industry Minister Mohammad Shaar, Energy Minister Mohammad Bashir, and Transport Minister Yarub Badr.

According to a statement from the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to constant cooperation and coordination, reflecting the “historic brotherly ties” between the two nations.

Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across sectors to support Syria’s reconstruction and transitional efforts. The council agreed on a practical roadmap targeting both short- and long-term goals aligned with mutual interests, the statement said. 

The roadmap includes plans to review and potentially amend the 1987 Yarmouk River agreement to ensure equitable water rights, along with reactivating joint water committees. Energy cooperation was also discussed, with talks focusing on supplying Syria with natural gas via Jordan, electric grid linkage, and sharing Jordan’s renewable energy expertise.

Both countries agreed to hold a ministerial-level meeting in July, followed by technical-level meetings to advance joint initiatives. Jordan also committed to sharing its experience in licensing electricity distribution companies, according to the statement.

The Jordanian and Syrian ministers also discussed restarting the Jordan–Syria power grid connection, once Syrian infrastructure allows, and developing frameworks to strengthen the existing network. Syria was also offered access to Jordan’s soon-to-be-operational liquefied natural gas terminal in Aqaba, as well as storage and transportation facilities for petroleum derivatives.

The two sides plan to reconvene the Joint Ministerial Committee in July to discuss industrial integration, enhance trade and transit opportunities, and explore mutual recognition of product conformity certificates. A business forum and the reactivation of the Jordanian–Syrian Joint Business Council are also on the agenda.

Syria welcomed an upcoming visit by a Jordanian economic delegation scheduled for next week, the statement said. 

The Joint Technical Committee for land transport will be reactivated to address overland transport issues, harmonise fees, discuss future railway links, and exchange expertise in transport regulation.

According to the statement, technical teams will conduct reciprocal visits to implement the council’s roadmap and follow up on the newly agreed cooperation mechanisms.