The visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Jordan for talks with His Majesty King Abdullah and other high officials was momentous for more than one reason.

 

For starters, in the joint statement to the press on Thursday, the two leaders re-affirmed their strong and durable relations that bind their two countries on several fronts including political, economic and defence issues.

 

Merkel announced that her country will provide $100 million to Jordan in an unconditional loan to help with implementing reforms requested by the International Monetary Fund. This support comes on the top of the 384 million euros that Berlin has earmarked for Jordan's development and progress, particularly in professional education and projects related to water, energy and basic infrastructures.

 

The two leaders saw eye to eye on all regional issues, including the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the need for a political solution of the Syrian conflict and the war against Daesh and other forms of extremism.

 

What also stood out in the German chancellor's visit was her accompanying delegation of German business leaders to explore opportunities for investment in Jordan. 

 

Germany understands and appreciates, more than other nations, the hardships Jordan is facing in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees, having itself hosted big numbers of migrants in recent years and is, therefore, sympathetic to the hardships that the country faces and endures in this regard. No wonder Germany was the largest donor at the Brussels Conference on the Syrian refugees crisis.

 

Many thanks to the German leader and her accompanying delegation for their faith and confidence in Jordan, and its domestic and regional policies.