He King Felipe VI has been received by Prince Faisal bin Hussein upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), in Amman, on the occasion of his first official visit to Jordan.
The Spanish monarch began his first official visit to Jordan this Saturday at a time of maximum tension in the region after the escalation between the Israeli Army and the Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah in Lebanon and the recent attack of Iran against Israelwhich the latter has promised to answer.
Invited by King Abdullah II, the monarch was initially going to travel accompanied by the Queen Letizia in a visit that had been prepared for months and that circumstances have forced to modify. Thus, since Operetta was reported late on Tuesday, after Iran would have attacked Israel with about 200 missiles, many of which flew over Jordan, that the trip was maintained but was being evaluated modify the format and agenda.
Finally, on Wednesday the decision was made that only the King will travelwho will be accompanied as planned from the beginning by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albaresand to shorten the stay less than 24 hours, instead of staying until Monday, according to the initial plan.
The minister has argued that the decision to maintain the trip, as well as the dates and format, both the initial ones and those planned now, have been made by the King’s House, with the approval of the Government, thus denying any pressure so that the visit could be maintained under the current circumstances. Furthermore, Albares explained this Friday in an interview in Antenna 3that the Embassy in Amman has assured that the security conditions are in place for the head of state’s trip.
“It is a very important journey, much more so at this moment, where once again leadership and strength are seen and the specific weight of Spain on all global stages,” claimed the head of diplomacy. From Foreign Affairs they indicated when the visit was announced on September 26, that the trip is part of the “good relations maintained by both countries.” and constitutes a favorable opportunity to “express the desire to continue strengthening the deep historical, political, cultural and human ties that exist between Jordan and Spain.”
Close bilateral relationship
The fact that the monarch travels to Jordan at the current situation is an example of the importance that Spain gives to its relationship with this country and a reflection of the close relationship that exists between the two royal houses.
Both monarchs met on June 20, 2023 at the Palacio de la Merced in Córdoba, during the meeting of the Aqaba Process dedicated to West Africa and the Sahel. Furthermore, Abdullah II visited Spain in December last year and held separate meetings with the King and the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez.
Visit agenda
Having reduced the trip to just 24 hours, Felipe VI’s agenda in Amman it will be very intense. Thus, upon arrival this Saturday afternoon, the traditional reception with the Spanish community in Jordan is planned, which usually takes place on this type of trip.
On Sunday, the King will have the opportunity to visit the refugee camp of Baqaa, the largest of the six Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan and created in 1968 as a result of the Six-Day War. According to the Agency UN for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), currently houses more than 90,000 people. Later, Felipe VI will be received at the Al Husseiniya Palace by Abdullah II, where both will hold a bilateral meeting that will be followed by a working lunch that will end the visit.
