Talks with Jordan's King about the Middle East conflict
"It is quite remarkable what Jordan is doing in a region surrounded by conflicts," said Chancellor Angela Merkel when she welcomed King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein to the Federal Chancellery. Their talks focused primarily on the crises in the region.
2 min reading time
Chancellor Angela Merkel with King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein: Germany and Jordan have been working together in the field of development cooperation for 60 years
Photo: Bundesregierung/Kugler
Germany is engaged in Jordan and is fully aware of the challenges facing the kingdom, said Chancellor Angela Merkel with a view to the humanitarian crisis in Jordan, triggered by the presence of a huge number of refugees from neighbouring countries.
We must not let up in spite of difficult conditions
On the subject of the Middle East conflict the Chancellor said, "Germany stands firmly behind the two-state solution." Germany sees this solution as a precondition for the peaceful coexistence of a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state. "In spite of the difficult conditions we must not let up in our efforts to work towards this goal," said Angela Merkel. This is important for stability throughout the region, she added.
Very important that refugees return
With a view to the civil war in Syria, the Chancellor reported that the two sides agree that a political process is necessary. It seems possible that a constitutional committee could soon be established. A UN-brokered process must then be put in place that will allow refugees to return to their country. This is "vitally important" in Lebanon and Jordan, but also in Turkey.
For de-escalation in Iran
Iran and the deal that is supposed to prevent the country obtaining nuclear weapons was also on the agenda. The Chancellor pointed to the threats posed by Iran’s engagement in Syria and its ballistic missile programme. "We would prefer a diplomatic process and are endeavouring to push ahead with this," stressed Angela Merkel. But, tensions in the region have mounted once again in the last few days. Germany is always on the side of de-escalation.
In 2019 German-Jordanian development cooperation celebrates its 60th anniversary. Germany aims to achieve lasting improvements in Jordan’s water sector and to establish a water resources management system that involves the private sector and civil society. The country is trying to diversity and is attaching increasing importance to renewables (solar and wind power) as well as imported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and gas. In the field of education and employment the focus is on enhancing economic participation and employment opportunities for both Jordanians and refugees. In 2018 the German government pledged new support totalling about 513 million euros.