Japan's Abe Pledges 1.4-B.-Yen Grant Aid to Jordan

Tokyo, July 14 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday that his country will provide 1.4 billion yen in grant aid to Jordan to relieve the Middle East country's burden of accepting Syrian refugees. Abe made the pledge at a meeting with visiting Jordanian Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, also the defense minister, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo. The aid is intended to cover renovation costs for water supply networks in areas hosting refugees, Abe said. The two leaders also agreed to start negotiations for a bilateral investment treaty to strengthen economic ties. Japan regards Jordan, which maintains a good relationship with the United States, as a linchpin of stability in the Middle East. Accepting 1.3 million refugees from war-torn Syria, however, has become a burden for Jordan. In a joint press conference after their talks, Abe said, "We'll support Jordan's social and economic stability and strongly back its development." The Jordanian leader said he values a strategic partnership with Japan, indicating his expectations for stronger cooperation with the Asian country on security and the fight against terrorism. END