The Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos’ visit to Jordan was completed.
Mr. Avramopoulos held discussions with the Jordanian Prime Minister and Defence Minister Dr. Abdalla Ensour as well as the Minister of Interior Husein Hazza Mazali, and the Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Atef Tarawneh, and he also had a private meeting with Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein.
The Minister of National Defence attended the inauguration of the 10th Special Operations Forces Exhibition SOFEX 2014 which is held in Amman, and he also attended an official dinner hosted by King Abdullah ΙΙ ibn Al Hussein of Jordan.
The Minister of National Defence also attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the associations of the Greek community as well as the chairing board of the association of Jordanian graduates of Greek universities and military academies.
The Minister of National Defence was accompanied by the Alternate Minister of National Defence Fofi Gennimata, pertinent for defence industry issues, and the Chief of HNDGS Michail Kostarakos.
The Alternate Minister of National Defence met with the Chairman and CEO of the KADDBΗ (King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau), Shadi Ramzi Majali, with whom she discussed the issue concerning the consolidation of a broader cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence industry.
After the completion of his visit, the Minister of National defence made the following statement:
“I made a brief, yet essential visit to Jordan, a country with vital influence in the broader region’s developments. A region which is of immediate strategic interest for Greece and which is tormented by the grave consequences of the Syrian crisis during the last years, as we all know.
The relations between Greece and Jordan are excellent and they are based on mutual respect, solidarity and friendship. It is our wish, but also one expressed by the Jordanian side, to enhance and broaden our cooperation at all fields.
Jordan is among the most important agents playing a vital role to the developments in the broader region, as far as Syria is concerned, but also relatively to the ongoing peacemaking procedure in the Middle East.
Lastly, the country faces the tragic consequences of the Syrian crisis. More than 600,000 refugees are taken in Jordanian camps, beyond then Palestinians.
Greece participated in the humanitarian aid sent to face the refugee issue, despite the financial crisis it experienced the last years, with an amount raising to 250,000 euro.
Greece and Jordan have excellent relations counting several decade, further than the historical bonds that go back to the far past, something that is proved by the close cooperation developed by the two countries in matters of international interest, at bilateral level, but also in the framework of international organisations.
At this point, I would like to note that a great number of Jordanians, who occupy leading posts in their country, have graduated from Greek Universities where they studied with scholarships offered by the Greek state, something that, not only don’t they forget, but they respect, being the best ambassadors for Greece in this friendly and hospitable country.
This mission had one aim: my participation in the extensive defence Exhibition organised here, as well as my contacts with Jordan’s political leadership, thus conveying a message for further cooperation at all fields.
I would like to believe that with the policy adopted by the Greek Government, Greece gains back its position as a geopolitical agent for stability in our broader region, which currently truly experiences great difficulties.
A few days ago, I was in Egypt where I had talks with the Egyptian political leadership, whilst more contacts will follow to all surrounding countries.
Greece has great potentials to play a vital role, always in the context of a peaceful and stabilising policy”.