Australia and Jordan strengthen ties amid Middle East tensions

The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, met with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan on 14 October, reaffirming defence partnership and strengthening cooperation across multiple areas. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional security and humanitarian issues.‍​​​​​​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‍

The two countries agreed to increase defence ties through regular strategic dialogue, education and training, and professional military exchanges. They also committed to working together on counter-terrorism operations and tackling violent extremism, building on longstanding cooperation in border management and law enforcement.

On wider bilateral cooperation, the leaders acknowledged opportunities for increased trade and investment links, particularly in the resources sector. They also agreed to expand collaboration on climate change, water security, drought preparedness and sustainable agriculture. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on mental health cooperation to strengthen information sharing on trauma-informed support.

On Middle East issues, the Prime Minister and King Abdullah discussed the region’s ongoing tensions. Australia expressed concern over the continued instability and stressed the need for all actors to work towards de-escalation through diplomacy. Australia condemned Iranian attacks on Jordan and expressed solidarity with the Kingdom.‍​​​​​​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‍

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution in accordance with international law, stating it is the only path to lasting peace. They emphasised their rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or displace the Palestinian people, and condemned the illegal ‘E1’ settlement project as a violation of international law. They also reaffirmed the importance of preserving the historical and legal status quo of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

On other regional matters, they called for full implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. They reaffirmed support for Syria’s sovereignty and stability, for Lebanon’s security and territorial integrity, and emphasised the need for continued international support for Jordan’s refugee response and for the countries hosting refugees. They condemned attacks by Houthi militia on Saudi Arabia and supported Yemen’s legitimate government.‍​​​​​​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‍

Source: Licensed from the Commonwealth of Australia under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (pm.gov.au). Changes may have been made. Distributed via BLINK Wire. Original release