Jordan Times
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Jordan exerting efforts to secure release of three Japanese nationals — Fayez
AMMAN (JT) — Prime Minister Faisal Fayez said on
Tuesday that Jordan would exert its utmost efforts to secure the release of
three Japanese nationals held hostage in Iraq and ensure their safety.
Speaking at a meeting with Japanese Senior Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ichiro Aisawa in the presence of acting Foreign Minister Amjad Majali, Fayez
reiterated Jordan's condemnation of the kidnapping of the Japanese hostages.
He said the Kingdom appreciates Japan's role in supporting Jordan's economy.
Aisawa said his country appreciates Jordan's stand and its role to ensure the
region's security and stability as well as its efforts to secure the release of
the Japanese hostages.
Minister of State and Government Spokesperson Asma Khader on Monday reaffirmed
Jordan's position, which calls for an end to Iraq's occupation and denounces the
abduction of civilians, stressing that the government was working through
diplomatic channels with the concerned parties for the release of the three
hostage.
Aisawa, who has been heading a crisis cell at the embassy, expressed his
government's concern at the security situation around Fallujah, west of Baghdad,
close to where the trio was abducted.
Later on Tuesday, the premier met with the Organisation of the Arab Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OAPEC) Secretary General Abdul Aziz Turki. Discussions
focused on preparations for the 8th Arab Energy Conference to be held in Amman
in 2006.
OAPEC, established in 1968, provides support to the Arab oil industry. Its
activities and membership are restricted to Arab countries with oil revenues
that constitute a significant part of their gross national product. Its members
meet every four years to discuss issues relating to energy in all member states
of the Arab League.
Also on Tuesday, the premier met with Tunisian Minister of Trade Mondher Zenaidi
and an accompanying delegation. The meeting focused on discussing ways of
strengthening economic and commercial ties. The delegation's visit comes as part
of the inauguration of the Tunisian cultural days and exhibition in Amman.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Mohammad Halaiqa also
attended the meeting.
The prime minister yesterday held talks with Saudi Minister of Education
Mohammad Ben Ahmad Al Rasheed on bilateral relations, particularly in the field
of education.
Education Minister Khalid Touqan and Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Abdul Rahman
Aohali attended the meeting.
The Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported that a 2-year joint Jordanian- Saudi
education programme was endorsed on Tuesday by the two countries' education
ministries.
The programme, signed Touqan and his Saudi counterpart, aims to activate
bilateral cooperation in different educational fields, such as the transfer of
human resources between the two countries and streamlining teachers' contract
procedures.
Moreover, the two-way accord for 2004-2006 calls for the exchange of
computerised educational programmes and films as well as advanced curricula.