YOUNG PEOPLE who represent a substantial minority in the Arab world demand and deserve an opportunity for a better life, said Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Juddeh yesterday after meeting with his Cypriot counterpart in Nicosia.
Juddeh, who is the first Jordanian foreign minister to visit Cyprus, met with Cypriot minister Marcos Kyprianou and President Demetris Christofias yesterday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyprianou, the Jordanian diplomat said the two ministers discussed the situation currently facing Arab countries.
He referred to an interview Jordanian King Abdullah gave to the Washington Post in which the king said generations in the future will refer to the “Arab Spring” in a positive manner, adding that the necessary lessons have to be learnt.
“There are people in the Middle East who are fighting for democracy, participation, equality and justice and we hope that this will be the future for the entire Middle East and North Africa,” said Juddeh.
The Jordanian minister said he briefed Christofias on King Abdullah’s economic and social reform programme for Jordan, which was prepared years ago but brought forward by the Arab Spring.
He noted that proposals for constitutional reform are currently being prepared by a Royal Committee. The king sees political, economic and social reform as the only way forward, said Juddeh, adding: “Seventeen per cent of Jordan’s people are under the age of 30, which I believe applies to the entire Arab world. These young people demand and deserve an opportunity for a better life. That is why we state our commitment to the reform process.”
Regarding the Middle East issue, Juddeh said there was every reason to be pessimistic given the lack of progress.
The diplomat highlighted the long-standing “excellent relations” between Jordan and Cyprus, and thanked Cyprus for its support in efforts to acquire an advanced status regarding its relations with the EU.
For his part, Kyprianou welcomed Jordan’s principled position on the Cyprus problem, based on international law, adding that Cyprus strongly supports the strengthening of EU relations with Jordan.
He noted Cyprus shares Jordan’s position regarding the kind of solution both want to see in the Middle East.
Kyprianou and Juddeh signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Political Consultations. The Jordanian minister departs Cyprus on Sunday.
