Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Moscow
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi will meet with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov today in Moscow.
Talks will cover conflict de-escalation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on developments in Syria and the Middle East peace settlement processes. They are also expected to discuss increasing Iranian power and strengthening bilateral cooperation on defence, economic development, trade, investment and tourism.
Today’s meeting serves as an affirmation of the ongoing strengthening of Russian-Jordan relations, an important part of the Kremlin’s Middle Eastern foreign policy. The bilateral partnership presents Russia as an alternative to the US as a regional power broker. Furthermore, a Russia-backed Jordan offers new trade routes to Syria from the south through the Red Sea. This route would help Moscow prop up the Assad regime by granting Damascus access to much needed foreign trade, necessary for the economic development and political stability Russia desires.
Political stability in its northern neighbour would also allow Amman to take advantage of increased foreign energy, infrastructure, and industrial development to increase national wealth through trade and tourism, providing a much-needed cash flow to the debt-strapped country for the increased public spending and investment needed to lower unemployment and revitalise the economy.
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