Your Majesty, King Abdallah II.
Above all, I wish to express my gratitude for the kind words and warm welcome you have offered, surely inspired by the feelings of profound sympathy and sincere friendship that have united our families for three generations, and our two peoples for many centuries.
I have landed with a heavy heart in this very difficult context for Jordan and for the whole Middle East, where once again those who decide war over peace change the fate of millions of innocent civilians, ending lives while redrawing borders and displacing populations. It is unacceptable.
I have come in heartfelt solidarity and in support for the crucial role Jordan plays, and has always played, in fostering regional stability. Spain and Jordan are bound by a shared yearning for peace and a common vision of prosperity for the region, rooted in the conviction that the only possible way out of this endless cycle of violence lies in two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and stability.
As Your Majesty stated at the recent 79th session of the UNGA: “Both peoples deserve to live their lives in dignity, free of violence and fear”.
While navigating the complex currents of regional politics, the Hachemite Monarchy has conducted an exemplar and crucial role to maintain the statu quo in Jerusalem -particularly through the Custodianship of Al Haram Al Sharif-, holding a fragile balance of peace and faith which has far too often been upset.
"...I have come in heartfelt solidarity and in support for the crucial role Jordan plays, and has always played, in fostering regional stability..."
Once again, I wish to acknowledge Jordan’s humanitarian leadership and its immense generosity towards the innocent victims of conflicts from the region. First, by your tireless efforts to bring aid to those in need, that Spain will keep supporting, but also by the compassion with which Jordan has opened its doors to those who flee from the scourge of war.
Early this morning I visited the UNRWA refugee camp in Ba'qa where I was able to see the enormous work that the Agency is doing with the cooperation of our own agency, AECID. We can only admire Jordan's commitment to deal with such a critical and long-lasting situation.
Your Majesty,
Jordan and Spain are key allies in the process of building a Mediterranean space where we share challenges and opportunities. Jordan and Spain have been building bridges, nurturing a Euro-Mediterranean dialogue that allows us to hope for a better future.
And as for building bridges, immediately after this meeting, the twinning of our beloved Petra and the Alhambra will be official. Those sites stand today as enduring symbols of the brotherhood that unites our two peoples across time and space.
I am fully aware of the immense effort that Jordan, under your leadership and its government, are making to build a brighter future for their country. This commendable endeavor is even more extraordinary in this tumultuous regional context. The recent elections stand as a testament to the resilience of Jordanian institutions and to the unwavering spirit of renewal that prevails in the face of adversity. Jordan will always have Spain by its side in this endeavor.
Your Majesty,
Your firm commitment to political and economic reform has already borne significant fruits, setting Jordan on a path to becoming one of the most forward-looking nations in the region, guiding Jordan through these transformative times.
We follow these developments with great interest, convinced that a well-structured and representative society is the most enduring foundation for peace, security, and stability. With this conviction, Spain will walk alongside Jordan and I am glad to say that the EU shares this vision and now sees Jordan as a strategic partner.
We must continue to build on our already strong cooperation. Together, we have embarked on many important projects, such as our shared fight against the scourge of terrorism, which brought us together last year in Córdoba in the framework of The Aqaba Process. Yet there remains vast potential to make further progress in many areas, such as infrastructure, energy, water management and new technologies. I am sure we will soon find another opportunity to support and showcase on going or new developments in that respect together with our mutual business communities.
Your Majesty,
I would like to conclude by thanking you once more for your hospitality and wishing you great success, not only in your leadership of the Jordanian people and the Hashemite Kingdom, but also in your key role of promoting stability and building peace in the region. Goals we all share and support.