Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Saturday began a two-day official visit to Jordan, where he arrived at around noon, being welcomed by Jordanian Health Minister Ali Hyasat.
“Romania appreciates the way that Jordan manages the refugee crisis as well as the fact the Hashemite Kingdom remains “an island of stability and freedom” in a conflict-torn area ” This was the message sent by visiting Prime Minister Victor Ponta to his Jordanian counterpart Abdullah Ensour in Amman on Saturday.
“I have a special message, coming from a European country. Namely that we know and appreciate very much the way that you manage the huge refugee problem. We complain in Europe of 80,000 people, how to share them, how to take care of them, 6,000 in Romania, 5,000… and you are already hosting 1.4 million and have been doing this for four years already. /…/ Together with Turkey, you host the largest part of the refuges. We understand how difficult it is for you and how much we must appreciate this”, Ponta said during plenary talks of the Romanian and Jordanian delegations.
The Romanian prime minister also praised the political stability of Jordan and the important investments the country makes in health and education.
“We appreciate that Jordan remains an island of stability in this very difficult region, with many challenges and conflicts around you. You are an island of stability, of freedom, a country that invests in education and health very much”, he said, adding the Romanian and Jordanian governments should do more with respect to the economic cooperation.
Ponta had a private meeting with Ensour Saturday afternoon and on Sunday he is to speak to King Abdullah II of Jordan in an audience.
Two memoranda of understanding on agriculture and economy will be signed in the two premiers’ presence, in the evening.
Romanian Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin and Jordanian counterpart Ahmed Mufleh Akef Zu’bi will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation on agriculture, while Economy Minister Mihai Tudose and Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Maha Ali will initial a Minute-Declaration on the cooperation between their two ministries.
On the second day of the visit, Ponta will meet representatives of the Iraqi Businessmen’s Council and members of the Chamber of Commerce of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Jordan, an island of stability and freedom in a very difficult region
“Jordan remains an island of stability and freedom in a very difficult region, with many challenges and conflicts. It is also a country that heavily invests in education and health,” PM Ponta wrote on Saturday on Facebook.
