In the spirit of abiding partnership and commitment to boosting the ties of friendship and addressing pivotal global issues, the Prime Minister of Canada Justine Trudeau, and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan met in Ottowa on 27th January 2023.
Both leaders held extensive talks on various ways to advance bilateral cooperation and expressed their commitment to work in close collaboration and further develop the Canada-Jordan bilateral trade and investment relationship. Canada has been a significant investment and trade partner for Jordan since the execution of the Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering international security and stability and continuing their work in collaboration in order to overcome regional and global challenges and crises. Deep concerns were expressed by His Majesty and the Prime Minister about the deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and Gaza. The leaders stressed the importance of increasing efforts to acquire a just, lasting, and comprehensive Middle East Peace based on two-state solutions. They have encouraged the efforts for relaunching the negotiations for peace for achieving the two-state solution that will help toward ensuring an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security, in agreement with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and acknowledged upon the terms of references.
In regard to this, the Prime Minister and His Majesty stressed the significance of preserving the historical status quo in Jerusalem and its various holy sites. The Prime Minister reiterated Canada’s support for the Hashemite Custodianship in the Holy sites Jerusalem. King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Trudeau also stressed the significance of searching for a political solution to the crisis-driven Syria following the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his appreciation of Canada for the generosity of Jordan in hosting Syrian refugees. He reaffirmed that engagement of Canada in the Middle East will continue to respond to the existing security and humanitarian challenges of the region, including the economic crisis in the Lebanon and Syrian refugee crisis. Both leaders promised their support for Iraq and its stability.
The war in Ukraine and its implications for global security have been discussed by The Prime Minister and His Majesty. Both jointly called for an immediate end to the war and for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, international law, and the UN charter.
His Majesty and the Prime Minister further affirmed that Jordan and Canada will continue their bilateral collaboration, alongside other partners, to combat violent terrorism and extremism. Both countries will continue to be part of the Global Coalition Against Daesh in order to ensure its enduring defeat. The two nations will further continue to cooperate through the Aqaba Process.
A Sovereign Loan agreement valued at up to $120 million over 10 years has been signed by Canada and Jordan signed. Through Global Affairs Canada’s Sovereign Loans Program, which is an innovative finance tool that assists government-led development initiatives in middle-income partner countries, this loan will be funded. His Majesty expressed gratitude for the continued support of Canada for Jordan. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of economic reforms and the modernization vision of Jordan. He valued the role of Jordan as a force for peace and stability in the region.
