Prime Minister Jafar Hassan met with Estonian President Alar Karis on 4th Nov, 24 (Monday) in Amman to advance the relationship between Jordan and Estonia across multiple fronts. The meeting took place at the Prime Ministry in Amman during President Karis’ official visit to the Kingdom, which spans several days and includes high-level talks, economic forums, and diplomatic consultations.
The session brought together ministers and officials from both Jordan and Estonia to explore deepening ties in technology, healthcare, education, and tourism. The dialogue was seen as a significant opportunity to further solidify the bond between the two nations, whose diplomatic relations began in 2001.
Expanding Cooperation Across Sectors: Technology, Health, and Education
A central focus of the meeting was expanding cooperation in technology and digital services, areas in which Estonia is recognized globally as a pioneer. Estonia’s leadership in digital governance and e-services serves as a model, and Jordan seeks to benefit from this expertise as it works to modernize its own public services. The Prime Minister expressed Jordan’s interest in developing similar systems for digital health and education services, which could improve access and efficiency for citizens. Estonia’s digital health system, particularly its advanced electronic health records, offers a potential framework for Jordan as it aims to enhance its healthcare sector.
Additionally, both leaders emphasized the value of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Estonia’s tech sector is renowned for its startup-friendly environment and has produced a number of global technology companies. The leaders discussed ways to share best practices in nurturing entrepreneurship, which would provide Jordanian innovators with new tools to succeed and stimulate economic growth.
Promoting Tourism and Strengthening Business Connections
Tourism, another key sector, was a priority for both nations. The leaders highlighted the unique cultural and historical offerings of Jordan, encouraging Estonian citizens to visit sites like Petra and Wadi Rum. Given the growing global tourism industry, Jordan’s efforts to attract more Estonian visitors could lead to increased cultural exchange and mutual economic benefit. In support of these efforts, both leaders advocated for marketing Jordan’s attractions in Estonia and vice versa. The upcoming Jordanian-Estonian Business Forum, scheduled for Tuesday in Amman, was recognized as a valuable platform to foster business connections. The forum will bring together business communities from both nations to explore investment opportunities and partnerships, with the aim of developing long-term commercial relationships. Prime Minister Hassan and President Karis stressed the importance of the private sector’s role in these endeavors, noting that increased business engagement could lead to a more robust economic partnership between the two countries.
Economic Modernisation Vision and Investment Frameworks
Prime Minister Hassan presented Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision, a strategic framework aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth through investments that create jobs and stimulate development. He underlined the importance of establishing agreements that would facilitate Estonian investments in Jordan, creating a more attractive economic environment. This approach is part of Jordan’s broader strategy to position itself as a hub for foreign investment, particularly in sectors like technology and infrastructure.
The economic agenda shared by the leaders also reflects a shared commitment to economic resilience. Estonia’s digital economy model could provide Jordan with insights and tools to streamline regulatory processes and make the Kingdom an attractive destination for foreign investment.
Regional Security and Humanitarian Efforts
Prime Minister Hassan and President Karis did not limit their discussions to bilateral issues but also addressed pressing regional concerns, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the escalating tensions in Lebanon. Jordan has been a vocal advocate for peace and stability in the region, and Prime Minister Hassan conveyed Jordan’s strong stance on the need to halt Israeli aggression in Gaza, prevent further escalation in Lebanon, and stop violations in the West.
