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Ammon News - Sweden's Ambassador to Jordan is Alexandra Rydmark, said that the Swedish royal family's visits to Jordan over the past months have enhanced the historic deep-rooted ties, warmth and friendship between the two kingdoms and paved the way for the partnership for the future.

Speaking to ceremony, held Tuesday evening to mark National Day of Sweden, Rydmark said, "In the past eight months, we have had three visits to Jordan by the Swedish Royal Family – Her Majesty the Queen of Sweden in October, Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden during the State visit in November and then only last week, the Crown Princess couple for the Royal wedding."

Rydmark extended her warmest and best wishes to HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein & Princess Rajwa al Hussein and congratulated all Jordanians for such a joyous, beautiful and successful event.

She said the Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) announcement of opening direct flights between Stockholm and Amman and opening a Jordanian Embassy in Sweden, will facilitate ever closer relations and open up a world of opportunities for cultural and academic exchanges, trade and investment opportunities, and more tourists.

Rydmark added that the first ever Swedish-Jordanian Trade and Investment Forum was held in November, in the presence of HM the King of Sweden and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein of Jordan, in cooperation with Jordan Strategy Forum, Crown Prince Foundation and several business associations. "The idea was to increase knowledge of what our two Kingdoms have to offer each other – not the least the opportunities for our many brilliant young women and men entrepreneurs and business leaders of tomorrow".


She mentioned that the establishment of two other crucial networks last year: The Sweden Jordan Business Network is already active in planning for activities for the coming year, and the Jordanian Swedish alumni network, formed by Jordanians who have studied or participated in entrepreneur or leadership programs in Sweden. "This year we also focused on cooperation in culture and in the creative sectors. Not only do these exchanges bring joy and build bridges. But our work has included the idea of how creative sectors can help us address some of the most pressing issues or today – climate change, sustainability, inclusion of youth and women, while at same time producing jobs and stimulating innovation."

Also, Rydmark further added, Jordan and Sweden’s partnership on global and regional affairs remain strong, grounded in shared aspirations for a better world and a shared belief in diplomacy. "Jordan's unwavering commitment to peace and dialogue, and your key role in the Middle East have earned our utmost respect."

"Together with Jordan we continue to work for a two-state solution and respect for international law in the Israeli Palestinian conflict," she said.

"We also continue to work with Jordan on supporting UNRWA. We recognize Jordan's hospitality in receiving refugees, also in partnership with many here tonight – colleagues from Embassies and the tireless efforts of civil society organisations and the UN family in Jordan – to which Sweden is strong supporter."

"I also want to take opportunity to deeply thank Jordan for your invaluable help in evacuating Swedish as well as European citizens from Sudan recently," she noted.

"The opening of the Swedish Dialogue Institute for the Middle East and North Africa in Amman is another milestone that shows Jordan and Sweden’s shared commitment to regional dialogue," Rydmark underlined.

"The institute provides a platform for researchers, policy makers and thought leaders – young/old, women/men - to come together, share ideas and to deepen the understanding of each other and our common challenges," she explained.

This year Sweden is commemorating 500 years since the foundation of modern Sweden and Head of State, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf’s remarkable 50 years on the throne in September.

"This year Sweden also holds the EU Presidency, where security, sustainability as well as democratic values & rule of law are our main priorities," Rydmark said.

In a speech at the ceremony, Minister of Culture, Haifaa Al-Najjar, lauded the distinguished ties between Jordan and Sweden in various fields, and expressed keenness to maintain and develop them.