Austrian Visit For Jordan

Austrian President Heinz Fischer is in Jordan for a few days, to strengthen economic ties with the Middle East country. He arrived this morning, along with his wife First Lady Margit, upon invitation by King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

Stressing the importance of bolstering ties with Jordan, the President said, “We in Austria consider Jordan as a gateway to the Middle East in many senses: Political, economic and cultural, and that is important because we need such a gateway between Europe and the Arab world. We appreciate the role Jordan is playing as a mediator between Europe and the Arab world and the intercultural dialogue between them.”

The two countries are expected to sign several economic agreements during the visit. There will also be two business forums to be held in Amman and Aqabah, where Austrian and Jordanian business leaders will discuss cooperation, exports and imports.

It is also expected that Fischer will talk about Middle East peace with the King.

Austria already exports to Jordan, though mostly phosphates. Jordan in turn sends such things as mineral water, machinery and paper.