BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday underlined the significance of Jordan as a major strategic partner, highlighting the importance of His Majesty King Abdullah’s participation in the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in advancing the Jordanian-Alliance partnership.

 

During a press conference before the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Rutte said, “Jordan is one of NATO’s most important partners in the Middle East. We will open our NATO Liaison Office in Amman soon. And this is an important step in making our deep relationships in the region even stronger.”

 

NATO announced the establishment of a liaison office in in Amman during its 2024 Summit in Washington D.C in July as part of an “action plan to enhance cooperation in the MENA region in response to evolving security and regional dynamics.”

 

The Alliance said at the time that the action plan seeks a “stronger, more strategic and result-oriented approach towards its southern neighbourhood.”

 

“The plan clearly demonstrates NATO’s commitment to reinforcing engagement and cooperation with its partners in the Middle East and North Africa, including through the establishment of its liaison office in in Amman,” the Allies said in a statement at the time.

 

NATO said that the decision to open an office in Amman “marks a significant milestone in the deep strategic partnership between Jordan and the Alliance. It acknowledges Jordan's significant role as a beacon of stability in both regional and global contexts, and as a long-time champion in fighting transnational threats, including terrorism and violent extremism.”

 

“The Office, acting as a representative office, will bring NATO and Jordan closer, by enhancing political dialogue and practical cooperation in areas of common interest between the Alliance and Jordan. It will enable regular engagement between NATO and the Jordanian authorities, thus contributing to a better shared understanding of the national and regional context.”