As 2025 comes to an end, one of the most consistent pillars of Jordan’s foreign policy has been King Abdullah II’s unwavering leadership and commitment to the Aqaba Process-an initiative that, over nearly a decade, has evolved as a core aspect to the Kingdom’s international identity. Originating in 2015 to strengthen global coordination against terrorism, the Process has since expanded into a multidimensional diplomatic framework rooted in dialogue, shared values, and cross-regional partnership. It reflects His Majesty’s long-held view that extremism must be confronted not only through security measures but through social cohesion, mutual respect, and a unified moral stance among diverse societies.
اضافة اعلان
This year underscored the initiative’s widening scope. The 2025 round co-chaired with Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev, alongside ongoing security and policy dialogues with European institutions, highlighted the Process’s steadily deepening European dimension. Equally important were the interfaith consultations held at the Baptism Site-an increasingly symbolic venue for the Aqaba Process-where religious leaders and policymakers discussed ways to counter radicalization by reinforcing the shared human and spiritual values that bind communities across regions.
It is within this expanding context that King Abdullah’s winter visit to Tirana stands out. Arriving in Albania to co-chair another round of the Aqaba Process alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama, His Majesty underscored Jordan’s deliberate inclusion of the Balkans as a strategic partner in global counter-extremism efforts.[1] This visit marked the third Aqaba Process–related engagement of the year, reflecting the momentum behind the initiative and its growing resonance with European counterparts.
When King Abdullah and Prime Minister Rama convened the Aqaba Process sessions at the Baptism Site-following their meetings in Tirana-they hosted a unique gathering of Muslim and Christian leaders from across the Middle East and the Balkans. According to the Royal Hashemite Court, discussions centered on reinforcing brotherly cooperation, mutual understanding, and respect as the foundations for countering extremism and promoting peace. The symbolism was deliberate: holding the event at one of Christianity’s most sacred locations emphasized the role of interfaith unity in shaping a shared response to radical ideologies.[2]
The Albania round showcases how the Aqaba Process has surpassed far beyond a security-coordination mechanism. The presence of diverse religious leaders, policymakers, and security officials signals a recognition that cultural dialogue and moral leadership must accompany traditional counterterrorism efforts. For Balkan states-many of which continue to grapple with the lingering effects of conflict, identity politics, and socio-economic pressures-the Aqaba Process offers a framework that resonates deeply.
For Jordan, the meeting reaffirmed and solidified a foreign-policy strategy built on bridge-building rather than bloc politics. Amman’s diplomatic influence has long rested on its ability to convene, connect, and cultivate trust across regions that do not always share political priorities. The nearly decade-long durability of the Aqaba Process, and its expansion into Europe, Africa, the Indo-Pacific, and now the Balkans, demonstrates both Jordan’s credibility and His Majesty’s sustained commitment to moderation as a global security asset.
Critics may argue that the Process is more symbolic than operational. Yet symbolswhen reinforced consistently over time, across continents, and through multiple layers of engagement, become strategic infrastructure. The Aqaba Process has quietly evolved into a global network of leaders and institutions aligned around a shared understanding of the ideological drivers of extremism and the need to counter them collectively.
From Aqaba to Tirana and back to the Baptism Site, King Abdullah’s 2025 engagements reveal a broader vision for the future of global security: one rooted not only in cooperation among states but in cooperation among communities, cultures, and faiths. Through the Aqaba Process, Jordan is not only articulating this vision-it is actively shaping the coalition capable of realizing it.
[1] Prime Minister Edi Rama in Jordan for the Interfaith Dialogue of the Aqaba Process for the Balkans.Accessed December 2025.
https://www.kryeministria.al/en/newsroom/kryeministri-edi-rama-ne-jordani-per-dialogun-nderfetar-te-procesit-te-aqabes-per-ballkanin/.
[2] Royal Hashemite Court, “King, Albania PM Chair New Round of Aqaba Process Meetings at Baptism Site,” accessed December 2025, https://rhc.jo/en/news/king-albania-pm-chair-new-round-of-aqaba-process-meetings-at-baptism-site.
