The Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Spain, Zaid Al-Lozi, led a lecture-group discussion, entitled "Jordan, a Key Country in the Middle East", on 28th May at the headquarters of the Foundation

Zaid Al Lozi said, among other things, that only by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories can peace and security be achieved in the Middle East. Al Lozi made these statements at a conference symposium entitled "Jordan, A Key Country in the Middle East," which was held at the Jávea Neighbourhood Forum Foundation. "Jordan has always fought for peace, we want peace, but Israel must completely change their attitude," added the ambassador. In his speech he lamented the lack of interest on the part of public and private sectors to invest in his country: "Compared to the more than 1,500 million dollars that France invested last year, Spain has not reached 100 million."

Zaid Al Lozi referred first to the characteristics of Jordan, both in the political arena - a constitutional monarchy that is a reference to political stability in the area - and the geographic. On this last point he highlighted the fact that the Hashemite Kingdom is in the centre of the Middle East jigsaw puzzle, and that their neighbours are Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. "They should not envy our geographical situation," said the ambassador before referring to the role his country has played and still plays in the conflict in the zone. "We signed the first peace treaty with Israel during the constitution of this State, and we have always advocated stabilizing an area whose conflict undoubtedly influences the entire world." He added, in this case, that "there are Jewish people in Jordan and in all the Middle Eastern countries; Jewish people are not a problem, the problem is Israel."

The high-level representative of the Hashemite Kingdom devoted much of his time to explaining the dynamism of a country "that although it does not have many of its own resources, it has managed to promote the training of people with high professional qualifications." Tourism, health, education are some of the strong points of a kingdom wants to, he added, draw the attention of Spanish investors. "We are a country located in an area that allows quick and easy distribution of products to all the neighbouring countries," he announced in this regard.

Zaid Al Lozi said relations between Jordan and Spain “are excellent”. He said that in 1949, immediately after gaining independence, Jordan was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Spain "and open an embassy." Since then, "the relationship has been intense, between the royal houses as well." He did, however, “regret that these diplomatic relations have not translated into better economic relations."

This lecture – group discussion is part of a series of activities that the Jávea Neighbourhood Forum hopes will bring the public closer to the realities of Mediterranean countries around us as interesting as is the case of Jordan.