AMMAN —
In an interview with the BBC Arabic’s Murad Shishani, Prime Minister Bisher
Al-Khasawneh said that Jordan has key observations on Tehran’s dealing with
certain issues in the Middle East region.
اضافة اعلان
These observations
include Iran’s intervention in the affairs of brotherly countries, including
the Gulf states, whose national security is considered an integral part of
Jordan’s national security, he said, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The premier also
said that Jordan wishes to have ties with Iran based on the principle of good
neighborliness, non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs, and
respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that Jordan does
not regard Iran as a threat to its national security.
Regarding an Arab
alliance similar to NATO’s, Khasawneh said that King Abdullah did not speak in
his recent interview about an Arab NATO, he merely answered a hypothetical
question about a regional and Arab framework conducive to the formation of a
military coalition.
The prime minister
also highlighted the historic and strategic ties between Amman and Riyadh,
pointing to the important visit of the Saudi crown prince to Jordan, during
which a wide range of issues was discussed, including investing in water and
energy sectors, and the integration of Aqaba and Neom.
Regarding Jordan’s
ties with Arab states, the prime minister said that Jordan, Saudi Arabia,
Egypt, and the UAE are in agreement on various issues and threats facing these
countries.
Khasawneh stressed
that Jordan has always responded promptly to the defense needs of brotherly
countries under military threat, just like they have been.
As for a
comprehensive reform in the country, the prime minister said that the process
entails a political, economic, and administrative modernization.
Khasawneh also
reassured that Jordan’s financial situation is good, saying that “today, we
have in the central bank a historical cash reserve of $18 billion, and
macroeconomic indicators are positive, as international financial rating and
credit agencies have raised our financial credit rating”.
Commenting on the
340km northern border, he said that there is a significant increase in
drug-smuggling operations, adding that Jordan’s military and security
apparatuses and the Syrian authorities are having discussions on the issue.
Khasawneh pointed out that
the Russian military police played a key role in maintaining security through
the reconciliation agreements sponsored by Russia at different stages,
stressing that the absence of a serious presence of Russian military police in
southern Syria has increased the scale of challenges facing the Kingdom.
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