Amman:Chair of the Jordanian-Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Association, MP Rania Khleifat, and Canadian Ambassador to Jordan, Louis-Martin Aumais, discussed strengthening ties and expanding parliamentary and development cooperation. The meeting emphasized the enduring Jordanian-Canadian relations that have spanned over six decades and their importance in regional stability.
According to Jordan News Agency, Khleifat highlighted the existing cooperation in economic, educational, and development sectors, urging the translation of these strong ties into sustainable projects that contribute to economic development and job creation, especially in underprivileged areas in the southern governorates.
Khleifat called for expanded cooperation in the environment, water, agriculture, climate change, youth and women's empowerment, entrepreneurship, technology, education, and vocational training. She suggested exploring grant programs for small, startup, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as scholarships for Jordanian students.
Association members, including MPs Raed Qatamin, Ahmad Oleimat, and Bassem Rawabdeh, stressed the importance of supporting the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. They advocated for continued international efforts to support Palestinian rights and the two-state solution.
Ambassador Aumais expressed Canada's commitment to strengthening relations with Jordan, focusing on youth and women's empowerment, economic growth, and supporting SMEs and entrepreneurship. He noted that Canada has allocated approximately JD20 million for five development projects over the next five years, targeting women's economic empowerment and youth employment.
Discussing regional issues, Aumais described the situation in the occupied West Bank as unacceptable and called for addressing the root causes of the crisis. He praised King Abdullah II's role in regional stability and highlighted Canada's actions, including sanctions on Israeli officials, to support peace efforts and a viable Palestinian state.