American support for Jordan is able to be increased

Alanbat- Adel Fareed 

 

The American support provided to Jordan according to the fourth memorandum of understanding for the strategic partnership between the two countries (2023-2029) is unconditional and expandable, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Al Safadi, affirmed.

 

Al-Safadi said in an interview with "Al-Mamlaka," "The aid is unconditional... and Jordan adopted a set of economic and administrative reforms in Jordan These reforms were adopted after an inclusive national dialogue that brought together representatives of the government, the private sector, and the concerned sectors.

 

He pointed out that "these reforms are imposed by Jordanian need and necessity," and Jordan wants its economy to follow a viable path that will give it more efficiency and productivity.

 

The duration of the memorandum is 7 years, and therefore the support will reach Jordan starting next year, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.

The memorandum of understanding includes the United States providing nearly 10.15 billion dollars over the next seven years. The United States will provide, based on the memorandum of understanding, 610 million dollars at least as a direct support to the treasury annually and 400 million dollars annually to the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army.

 

Al Safadi clarified that the part provided to the treasury will help cover aspects of spending on several projects that the government has announced to start.

 

The Secretary of State spoke of the United States' awareness of Jordan's need for reforms, and that Washington is therefore providing support for those reforms.

Al Safadi confirmed that there are goals for the economic reform program and the existence of steps that Jordan wants to take. The government announced it and adhered to it openly. American support arrived to prop up those reforms.

 

Jordan will implement these reforms because it’s in his favor and because they achieve the goal of making the Jordanian economy stronger and more productive and providing job opportunities and water resources.

 

Al Safadi confirmed Jordan’s progress in making those reforms even in the absence of a memorandum and American support, because these reforms are necessary for Jordan's interest and its future.

 

 

Capable of being increased

 

The secretary of State said that "the annual American support is able to be increased." He pointed out that the previous memorandum of understanding specified a minimum of aid, but over the past years the United States has provided extra support for Jordan. The possibility of additional aid exists, and Jordan will work for it in dialogue with the United States.

Al-Safadi affirmed that Jordan is proceeding with the reform process that it has pursued, and the government is counting on US support as a main source of providing the financial capabilities required to help move forward with these major reforms.

 

The Deputy Prime Minister talked about large projects that the government wants to start in the water and energy sectors and how to find productive economic activities capable of creating job opportunities throughout Jordan.

 

 

 

Realizing Jordan's role

 

The minister, Al Safadi, pointed out that the United States is aware of the large role played by King Abdullah II in strengthening security and stability in the region.

 

The awareness that Jordan has a main role in the efforts aimed at resolving regional crises and achieving security and prosperity. Washington also realizes that Jordan bears a great burden as a result of the regional crises that have clearly reflected on it, regarding refugees, border security, and closing the borders towards Europe.

 

Al Safadi mentioned that the aid value and the period of commitment that the United States provides to Jordan have increased to reflect the partnership and the awareness that Jordan bears the consequences of large regional crises, and in light of this awareness and in light of the "historic" partnership that links the two countries, the United States stands with it to bear these burdens.

 

 

Al Safadi stressed the solidity of Jordanian-American relations and their roots, whether with the administration or the congress, and said that the king was able to build distinguished relations with the congress, which supports Jordan and understands its role, and sees this role as a main part of the efforts to achieve security and stability.