Updated 6.24 pm with details of new agreements
Prime Minister Robert Abela toured a refugee camp run by the UNHCR shortly after arriving in Jordan on an official visit on Monday.
He was given a ceremonial welcome when he arrived in the capital, Amman, during the night, and was greeted by Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Samirat.
During the morning, Abela toured the Al Za’atari refugee camp, which is operated by the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR. The camp is the largest in the world, providing assistance and protection to refugees from Syria.
The prime minister said Malta would be making a financial donation to assist in the operations of the camp.
Abela travelled from Rome where he attended the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV.
He said in a Facebook post that the visit is expected to see Malta and Jordan strengthen their relations in various sectors.
He said his commitments during the day will also continue to confirm “the government’s social conscience”.
Malta and Jordan have seen an increase in tourism exchanges in the past few years. The best-known Jordanian investment in Malta is the controversial American University of Malta, owned by Jordanian investor, Engineer Hani Salah’s Sadeen Group.
Abela’s visit is the highest-profile Maltese visit to Jordan since 2016 when then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat visited the kingdom. During that visit a cooperation agreement was signed between the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and Malta’s Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
Jordanian-Maltese diplomatic relations date back to 1976.
New agreements signed between Malta and Jordan
During the official visit, Malta and Jordan signed several new agreements related to different sectors, including tourism, energy and culture.
In a statement sent on Monday afternoon, Abela said the visit marks an important moment in the longstanding friendship between Malta and Jordan, as both countries share a strong history of cooperation and mutual respect.
At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that this visit marks an important moment in the longstanding friendship between Malta and Jordan, as both countries share a strong history of cooperation and mutual respect. Therefore, this visit provides a valuable opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Robert Abela and Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Photo:OPM“In this spirit of partnership, we aim to continue enhancing our cooperation in various areas, and today we are advancing collaboration in tourism, education, culture, as well as in water and energy cooperation. The Framework Agreement for Cooperation being signed today will bring together technical teams from both our countries to identify areas of mutual interest that can benefit us all,” remarked the Prime Minister.
In fact, the agreements signed include the establishment of a Permanent Joint Economic Commission, an agreement on technical cooperation in the fields of energy and water, an agreement on collaboration in the tourism sector, and an agreement promoting cooperation in the areas of archiving and the Maltese language.
Abela also referred to recent developments in the Middle East, stating, how Jordan has consistently demonstrated a firm “commitment to peace, security, and regional cooperation”.
“Malta stands ready to support and cooperate with Jordan in these vital initiatives, as we believe that a stable and secure Middle East benefits not only our two countries, but the entire international community.”
Abela was accompanied by the Heritage Minister, Owen Bonnici, Malta’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, George Said Zammit, Sherpa Leandro Borg, and the Head of Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister, Colonel Mark Mallia.