Jordan is a reliable partner of the EU and NATO in the Middle East, which suffers from the severe consequences of the conflict in Syria, is faced with a huge migration flow and takes an active role in the anti-ISIS coalition. The Islamic State terrorist group, which has established itself in the neighborhood, the increasing extremism and the prolonged civil war in Syria make the internal and external security of the state a strategic interest of Jordan.
“Lithuania understands Jordan very well. We live in a difficult neighborhood and see aggression and people dying close to our borders. Jordan, just like the whole EU, faces increasing radicalism and the threat of terrorism. Therefore, the security of our states and our people is the highest priority of Lithuania and Jordan,” the President said.
The King of Jordan strongly condemns terrorism and violence under the pretext of religion. He sees growing radicalism and ISIS’s actions as a threat to his country. Jordan has been severely affected by Al Qaeda’s bomb attacks in hotels; ISIS has burnt a Jordanian pilot alive.
Lithuania and Jordan are critical of Russia’s intervention in the Syrian conflict. Russia’s actions destabilize the whole of the Middle East region. Support to the Syrian regime and the bombing of civil facilities do not help find peaceful solutions but rather increase the flows of refugees. Russia has set up its second military base in Latakia. This, according to the President, demonstrates Russia’s aim to ensure military domination not only in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea regions but also in the Mediterranean Sea region, while Russia’s unpredictable behavior poses a threat to global security.
Speaking about the migration crisis, the President emphasized that it was the duty of the whole international community to help people fleeing war. However, it is very important that people receive help and shelter as close to their homes as possible and in a close cultural environment rather than risk their lives, choose a dangerous sea journey and become victims of human trafficking.
Jordan, which has taken in 3 million refugees, including nearly 700 thousand Syrians, is, as the President points out, an example of human solidarity and compassion. Jordan is home to the Zaatari refugee camp, which is the biggest in the region and is equivalent to the fourth largest city in Jordan. Over 80 thousand refugees have found refuge in this camp. Lithuania provides financial and humanitarian assistance to Jordan through various EU and UN humanitarian programs as well as the EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian Crisis, the ‘Madad Fund’.
Dalia Grybauskaitė and King Abdullah II discussed bilateral relations – trade, innovation and energy. They described the export of food products and solar panels, as well as IT and communication technologies, as the most promising areas. Jordan is an attractive country to start-ups; 75 percent of all online Arabic content originates from here. Lithuania and Jordan have a similar experience in ensuring energy security and share the aim to diversify energy supplies. Last year, Jordan, just like Lithuania, built a liquefied gas terminal at the port of Aqaba.
