Japan-Jordan Relations

Prime Minister Abe Visits Jordan

January 19, 2015

Japanese

Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office

1. Major Events
2. Overview of the Major Events
3. Evaluation

1. Major Events

January 17 (Sat.)

Visit to the Jordan Museum

Unofficial dinner meeting hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II

January 18 (Sun.)

Meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Ensour

Summit meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II

Meeting and luncheon with economic circles of Japan and Jordan hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II

2. Overview of the Major Events

(1) Japan-Jordan summit meeting

On January 18, commencing at 10:45 a.m. (local time; 5:45 p.m. January 18, JST) for approximately 40 minutes, Prime Minister Abe held a Japan-Jordan summit meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, at the Royal Court Office. An overview of the meeting is as follows:

(A) At the beginning
Prime Minister Abe stated that the trend of extremism emerging all over the world must be stopped and he would like to expand the philosophy of "the best way is to go in the middle" together with His Majesty. Prime Minister Abe also highly appreciated the roles assumed by Jordan for the peace and stability of the region such as the measures against ISIL and acceptance of refugees from Syria and stated that Japan would support Jordan in non-military fields in order to support the stability of Jordan. In response to the above, His Majesty King Abdullah II appreciated the efforts of Japan and stated that it would be important for international society to make a coordinated effort in their fight against terrorism.

(B) Bilateral relation

Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for Jordan's support of Japan's policy of "proactive contribution to peace" and stated that the Government of Japan would like to enhance cooperation with Jordan, which had been making proactive contribution in the field of peacekeeping operations (PKO). In response to this, His Majesty King Abdullah II welcomed Japan's contribution to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region and international society and expressed his support of security policies of Japan.

Prime Minister Abe disclosed the intention of the Government of Japan to implement a new yen loan of 100 million U.S. dollars to support the stability of Jordan and to provide new assistance amounting to 28 million U.S. dollars, which would be implemented after obtaining Diet approval, through international organization. In response to this, His Majesty King Abdullah II expressed his gratitude for the support from Japan.

(C) Regional situation

Prime Minister Abe expressed his respect to Jordan which has been standing on the front line of the fight against ISIL and His Majesty King Abdullah II highly appreciated Japan's fight against terrorism including humanitarian support for Iraq, Syria and their neighboring countries.

Moreover, concerning the issue of Middle East peace, Prime Minister Abe stated that he was concerned about the stalemate in the Middle East Peace Process and would like to make efforts for resuming the process in cooperation with Jordan, and His Majesty King Abdullah II highly appreciated the role and support from Japan in the Middle East Peace Process such as "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity." The two leaders confirmed that they would cooperate with each other to address the early resumption of negotiations toward a "two-state solution."

(2) Meeting and luncheon with economic circles of Japan and Jordan hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II

On January 18, commencing at 11:30 a.m. (local time; 6:30 p.m. January 18, JST) for approximately 40 minutes, Prime Minister Abe attended a meeting with representatives from business sector of Japan and Jordan hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II at the Royal Court Office. Following this meeting, Prime Minister Abe attended a luncheon with representatives from business sector of Japan and Jordan hosted by His Majesty King Abdullah II for approximately 40 minutes.

At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe stated that leaders of Japanese business sector had accompanied him and he expected the progress of economic relations between the two countries on this occasion.

(3) Meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Ensour

On January 18, commencing at 9:45 a.m. (local time; 4:45 p.m. January 18, JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Prime Minister Abe, who was on his visit to Jordan, held a meeting with Dr. Abdullah Ensour, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. An overview of the meeting is as follows: Prior to the meeting, Prime Minister Abe attended a welcoming ceremony and following the meeting, a signing ceremony of a loan contract concerning project financing by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for a solar power generation project, in which Mitsubishi Corporation participates, and a memorandum concerning the additional construction of a solar power generation facility for a thermal power generation project (IPP4), to which Mitsui & Co., Ltd. invests, was held and the signings were witnessed by Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Ensour.

(A) Bilateral relation

At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Ensour's welcoming of his first visit to Jordan and stated that since an economic mission from Japan had accompanied him, he expected progress in economic relations between the two countries such as active mutual exchanges between economic circles of the two countries. Prime Minister Ensour welcomed the visit to Jordan by Prime Minister Abe and the economic mission and expressed his gratitude for the consistent support from Japan to Jordan which has faced difficulties, and the two leaders shared the view that they would cooperate for further progress of the bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Abe highly appreciated the roles assumed by Jordan for the peace and stability of the region such as Jordan's measures against ISIL and acceptance of refugees from Syria. In response to this, Prime Minister Ensour gave an explanation that Jordan was facing unprecedented issues such as acceptance of many refugees from Syria, and issues of Palestine and ISIL and due to that, uncertainty had been increasing. Prime Minister Ensour expressed his gratitude for Japan's assistance toward the stabilization of Jordan and the region through this visit by Prime Minister Abe and also expressed further expectation in this regard.
Prime Minister Abe welcomed conclusion of the loan contract between Jordan and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and underwriting of a loan insurance by Incorporated Administrative Agency, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) concerning the largest-ever solar power generation project in Jordan, in which Mitsubishi Corporation participates. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe also welcomed the exchange of memorandums between Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and the Government of Jordan for discussing construction of a new solar power generation facility. Prime Minister Ensour highly appreciated Japan's technology concerning solar power generation and expressed his gratitude for the cooperation.
Prime Minister Abe stated that since Jordan has rich cultural heritage such as Petra and such cultural heritage has high values as tourism resources, tourism in Jordan has great potential. Prime Minister Abe added that Japan had cooperated with Jordan in the development of tourism and would continue its assistance. Prime Minister Ensour stated that tourism is an important industry for Jordan and expressed his gratitude for the cooperation from Japan.

(B) Middle East peace

Prime Minister Abe stated that he was concerned about the stalemate of the Middle East Peace Process and that he would like to work for an early resumption of the process toward a "two-state solution" in cooperation with Jordan. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe stated that he was scheduled to visit Jericho Agricultural Industrial Park, a core project of "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity," in Palestine. Prime Minister Abe added that he was deeply moved by the fact that the project, which had been crystalized in his first term as the Prime Minister, showed progress after approximately 10 years and that some companies decided their tenancy in the park, and expressed his expectation to an early operation. Prime Minister Ensour highly appreciated the roles and assistance from Japan in the Middle East Peace Process such as the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity."

3. Evaluation

(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed strong support toward Jordan, which has been affected by destabilization of the region such as refugees as the front line of measures against ISIL. Thus, Japan’s initiatives for the peace and stability of the region were successfully demonstrated.

(2) While Japan and Jordan are in a very good relationship on the basis of the close relations between the Imperial Family and Royal Family of Japan and Jordan, active exchanges have been made between leaders such as the visit to Japan by His Majesty King Abdullah II last November and this visit to Jordan by Prime Minister Abe. The two leaders once again confirmed that they would further develop the strategic relationship between the two countries and continue their cooperation for enhancing peace and stability.

(3) An economic mission accompanied Prime Minister Abe’s visit and signing ceremony concerning two solar power generation projects in which Japanese enterprises are involved was held. Further development of economic relations between the two countries is expected in the future.