Minister Simon Coveney and Irish Delegation visit to Jordan
News
30 November 2021
Minister Simon Coveney with HE Ambassador Dr Vincent O'Neill and HE Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi
On the 4th of November Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, travelled to Jordan along with an Irish delegation including Secretary General Joe Hackett, Deputy Secretary General Sonja Hyland and representatives from the Department’s Middle East and North Africa Unit. This was the Ministers first visit to the Hashemite Kingdom following the opening of the Embassy of Ireland in Amman, in 2019.
Minister Coveney met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi and held talks focused on bilateral ties and the latest developments in the Middle East region. The two Ministers agreed to advance opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in several areas including food security, education, tourism, technology, culture and trade over coming months.
Both Ministers were chief guests at the opening of the new Embassy of Ireland Chancery building in Abdoun, Amman. Minister Coveney, during his speech, referred to the importance of the expansion of Irelands Embassy network through the Global Ireland initiative. He highlighted the strengthening of Ireland Jordan bilateral relations – politically, economically, culturally – since the opening of the new Embassy in Amman 2 years ago.
Jordan currently has over 672,000 refugees from Syria registered in its territory and Jordan’s generosity in hosting so many refugees from the region was one of the issues Minister Coveney discussed with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi.
Whilst in the capital Amman, Minister Coveney visited a UNHCR community centre for refugees, many of whom have fled the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
Ireland has provided considerable funding support through UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP to assist the Government in responding to the needs of refugees in Jordan. Over coming months the Irish Government will facilitate the resettlement of over 300 Syrian refugees, based in Jordan, to Ireland through the Irish Refugee Resettlement Programme.
In the course of his visit, Minister Coveney stressed the importance of Irelands trading relationship with Jordan and, with an expected trade volume of €250 million in 2021, the growing volumes of trade between both countries.
In this context, he participated in a Business and Outreach Business Breakfast during which time he was updated about the work of the Embassy and of the newly established Jordan Ireland Business in advancing opportunities between Jordan and Ireland in education, ICT, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and tourism. The Minister was further informed that the Embassy and JIBA, will formalise links with the Iraqi Business Council, which is based in Amman, to identify opportunities for enhancing Ireland Iraq trade.
