Jordan plays crucial role in Mideast stability, says Norwegian envoy

Norway’s Ambassador to Jordan Tone Allers said on Sunday that Jordan has a crucial role as a provider of stability in the Middle East and that the Kingdom is a valued partner in efforts to solve and prevent conflicts, be it in Syria, Yemen or the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on her country’s national day, the ambassador stressed that Jordan has been a crucial partner in supporting a two-state solution ever since.

As chair of the Ad hoc Liaison Committee supporting Palestinian State-building, and an important supporter of UNRWA, Norway works closely with Jordan, Allers indicated.

She added: “We also coordinate closely on Syria, where Jordanian perspectives are of great value. Our embassy in Amman is our biggest in the region, illustrating Jordan’s role as a regional hub, both in the political, military and humanitarian field.”

Following is the full text of the interview in a Q&A format:

1. How do you view Jordan’s foreign policy during the era of His Majesty King Abdullah II and its implications for the relations and partnership between Jordan and Norway?

During his reign, His Majesty King Abdullah has been playing an important role as a bridge builder in foreign policy, and a promoter of tolerance and cooperation on the international stage. Jordan, under His Majesty’s leadership, has set an example by receiving several waves of refugees, most notably after the invasion of Iraq and the Syrian crisis, and by stressing their right to safe and voluntary return.

For Norway, His Majesty King Abdullah II has been an central partner in the efforts towards the establishment of a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His Majesty is also a partner in defending the multilateral system at a time where it has come under increasing pressure.

2. How do you view the importance of the visits at the leadership and high level of the two countries to enhance bilateral relations and international cooperation?

What makes Norwegian-Jordanian cooperation so strong is that it takes place on all levels: between the Royal families, on the political level, between institutions and people to people. During my four years in Jordan, our Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and Crown Prince have all visited Jordan. The definite highlight was the visit to Jordan by Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja in March this year, their first official state visit to the region.

In addition to strengthening political cooperation and the signing of an agreement on political consultations, the visit included a business delegation of about 30 companies, focusing among other issues on health technology, energy and sustainable tourism. The visit was a joint effort with the Jordanian embassy in Oslo, which opened in 2017.

3. How do you see the historical relations between the two countries and the development they have witnessed?

Norway and Jordan last year celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations. These have developed over the years, and are now stronger than ever. One of the more recent pillars of cooperation is in the area of defense, where an MoU was signed in 2019 and is now being implemented. It is my hope that in the future, there will be even more trade and investments and more people-to-people cooperation, also in the form of tourism between both countries.

Source: Jordan News Agency