BG

PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV AND THE KING OF JORDAN NEGOTIATED FOR BULGARIA TO HOST THE AQABA PROCESS IN 2020

13.10.2019

It was agreed for Bulgaria to host a meeting for the Aqaba process in 2020 during Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's talks with the King of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein. The Aqaba process was initiated in 2015 by the King of Jordan to strengthen international and regional cooperation against the dangers of terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism through a comprehensive approach. So far, such forums have been held in Jordan, Albania and the Netherlands.

 

"We highly appreciate Jordan's role as an "island of stability" in the regional context and its balanced international policy," Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said during the meeting. The Bulgarian Prime Minister put an emphasis on the responsibility and wisdom worthy of the highest recognition, demonstrated by the Jordanian authorities when dealing with the serious effects of the crises in the region. "We highly appreciate your consistent efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, and your special role as a custodian of the Holy Places is highly respected in the world," said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

 

The two leaders praised security cooperation, counter-terrorism, extremism, radicalization and illegal migration. The desire to expand the constructive relations between Bulgaria and Jordan in the field of defense was also expressed.

 

During the meeting, it was noted that the past year marked 50 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, which is a good occasion to give new stimulus to the cooperation between Bulgaria and Jordan in the areas of common interest. Emphasis was also put on

the need to intensify cooperation in trade, economy, and investment, as well as to establish closer contacts between the business communities of the two countries. 

 

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria and the King of Jordan highly appreciated the common policies in the fields of tourism and protection of the cultural heritage. Their potential will be broadly expanded by signing a memorandum of understanding between the Bulgarian government and the Jordanian government, agreed Boyko Borissov and Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein.