Day: April 7, 2025

Amman: Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Majed Qatarneh met with the Director of the European Commission’s Middle East, North Africa and Gulf Department Stefano Sannino and an accompanying delegation.

According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting focused on advancing the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement between Jordan and the EU, which was signed during His Majesty King Abdullah II’s visit to the EU on January 29. The agreement aims to bolster ties and cooperation between the two parties in various sectors.

The discussions also included enhancing coordination regarding regional developments, reflecting the ongoing collaboration and shared interests between Jordan and the European Union. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and partnership to address mutual challenges and opportunities in the region.

Cairo: A joint communiqu© was released at the conclusion of the trilateral summit held by His Majesty King Abdullah II, Egypt President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi, and France President Emmanuel Macron in Cairo on Monday, according to a royal court statement.

According to Jordan News Agency, the leaders of Egypt, France, and Jordan convened the summit to address the escalating situation in Gaza. The communiqu© emphasized the necessity for an immediate return to the ceasefire to ensure the protection of Palestinians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The leaders highlighted the importance of implementing the January exchange deal, which includes the release of all hostages and detainees and the assurance of security for all involved.

The communiqu© expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, urging a halt to any unilateral actions that threaten the viability of a two-state solution and escalate tensions. The leaders called for adherence to the historical status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites and rejected any displacement of Palestinians from their land or annexation of Palestinian territory.

In line with these discussions, the communiqu© called for international support for the Gaza reconstruction plan, endorsed by the Arab Summit and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation. The leaders stressed the importance of empowering the Palestinian National Authority to govern and maintain order in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, with strong regional and international backing. They expressed readiness to assist in these efforts in collaboration with partners.

The communiqu© also highlighted the need to coordinate efforts at the upcoming June conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, to establish a clear political pathway for implementing the two-state solution. Additionally, the leaders expressed their support for the forthcoming Gaza reconstruction conference in Cairo.

His Majesty King Abdullah II and President Macron extended their gratitude to President Al Sisi for organizing the summit.

Amman: An Israeli drone strike on Monday evening killed two Syrian nationals and injured one Lebanese on the Dardara-Khiam plain road in southern Lebanon.

According to Jordan News Agency, the drone targeted the area as a car and motorcycle were traversing the Dardara-Khiam plain road.

Separately, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that a man was wounded earlier in the afternoon when an Israeli drone struck a car in the town of Beit Lif, also located in southern Lebanon.

Amman: The General Exam Council has decided in its most recent session to administer paper-based national exams for 11th-grade students at the end of July this year. The Ministry of Education noted that efforts are underway to implement electronic exams in future years.

According to Jordan News Agency, the exam format for 11th-grade students will include all multiple-choice questions for the Islamic Education and Jordanian History subjects. However, the Arabic and English language exams will feature a written (essay) component, accounting for approximately 30% of the exam’s total score.

The ministry attributed the decision to revert to paper-based exams this year to delays in implementing certain activities under the digitization project, which was originally funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The suspension and eventual cancellation of USAID’s programs forced the ministry to directly renegotiate contracts with executing companies and seek alternative funding sources.

The ministry previously emphasized that the format of the exams would remain consistent with students’ prior experience, whether delivered electronically or on paper.

Amman: Preliminary balance of payments data showed that net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Jordan reached approximately $1.637 billion in 2024, representing 3.1% of the country’s GDP.

According to Jordan News Agency, Arab countries accounted for 64.8% of total FDI inflows, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states contributing 32.5%. Among them are Kuwait, which topped the list with 9.1% of total inflows, followed by Saudi Arabia at 8.2%, the UAE at 7.1%, and Qatar at 4.5%.

European countries contributed 21.4% of total FDI, led by the United Kingdom at 8.3%, and EU countries at 7.1%, with France ranking highest at 3.8%. Asian non-Arab countries contributed 5.2%, with India at 2.6%, and China at 2.4%. Other countries contributed 8.7% of the total FDI inflow in 2024.

By economic sector, financial and insurance activities attracted the largest FDI share (23.4%), followed by information and communications (10%), mining and quarrying (9.1%), transport and storage (8.4%), wholesale/retail trade (7.7%), and manufacturing (7.6%). Additionally, non-Jordanian individuals’ investments in real estate and land accounted for 19.1% of total FDI inflows in 2024.

Amman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Yousef Ahmed Al Hunaiti, conducted a field visit on Monday to the 2nd Royal Mechanized Guard Battalion and the 3rd Royal Border Guard Battalion, part of the Central Military Region.

According to Jordan News Agency, upon arrival, Major General Al Hunaiti was received by the region’s commander. He was briefed by relevant commanders on the operational and logistical status, as well as future plans for the units. The briefings included the ongoing efforts to secure Jordan’s borders, particularly measures in place to combat smuggling and infiltration, thereby preserving national security and stability.

During his tour along the border front, Al Hunaiti reviewed the readiness of border personnel, affirming the continued provision of advanced equipment and technology. He reiterated that the General Command remains committed to modernizing and upgrading defense systems across all units, in alignment with its broader development strategy.

At the conclusion of the visit, Al Hunaiti praised the dedication and performance of Jordan Armed Forces personnel, highlighting their pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s security and sovereignty.