Australia strengthens Jordan ties

Media release

Amman

12 December 2010

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd travelled to Jordan today and met with Their Majesties, King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan. Mr Rudd also met with the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Mr Nasser Judeh.

“Australia and Jordan share many common interests. We both want to see a two-state solution that would allow Israel and a future Palestinian state to live side by side in peace and security,” said Mr Rudd.

Discussing bilateral interests, Mr Rudd welcomed Jordan's consideration of purchasing Australian Bushmaster vehicles. The Bushmaster is a protected mobility vehicle, made in Bendigo and used by the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan.

In a meeting with Queen Rania, Mr Rudd announced $100,000 support for an education partnership with UNICEF and the Madrasati initiative in Jordan.

“The Madrasati initiative is a  grass roots program that enjoys support from  Queen Rania.

“It brings private and public funding together to improve the quality of teaching and school infrastructure in public schools in Jordan.”

Mr Rudd also announced that Australia would provide $100,000 to the Jordan River Foundation to improve services for victims of domestic violence in Jordan.

“This funding will support Australia and Jordan's shared commitment to ending violence against women.”

Australia will also provide an additional $250,000 to the United Nations Development Program to support efforts to clear landmines in Jordan's Northern border, allowing communities to return to their fields and again cultivate their land.

Since 2007, Australia has provided $2 million to assist landmine clearance in Jordan.

Mr Rudd was pleased to officially open the new Chancery building of the Australian Embassy in Amman.

Mr Rudd used this opportunity to thank the many locally engaged staff for their work and commitment to the Embassy, some who had been employed with the Embassy for over a decade.

Media enquiries