(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Amman, Mar. 7 (Petra) -- The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Dana Stroul, has reaffirmed that the US is committed to the strategic partnership with Jordan and noted that the two countries have a very strong relationship built on decades of mutual commitment.
Describing US-Jordan relations as a model for the rest of the region, Stroul told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) in an interview that the two nations would keep looking for additional avenues to strengthen their already close ties.
Stroul is traveling with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who met with His Majesty King Abdullah II.
She noted that President Joe Biden's commitment to Jordan's is shared by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. She also said that Secretary Austin made the trip to Jordan to consult with King Abdullah II because the US considers Jordan to be a key strategic partner.
As the first leg of a trip to the Middle East, Secretary Austin is in Jordan, according to Stroul, to reaffirm US commitment to the stability and security of the region, and Jordan in particular, and to discuss mechanisms for enhancing and strengthening regional security, especially given that Jordan has long been a key leader in these efforts.
The US official emphasized that Secretary Austin is aware that Jordan is in a very dangerous region with numerous threats and reiterated that the Department of Defense is committed to helping Jordan achieve regional security and stability.
She underscored that Austin's visit is also motivated by his belief that the path to Middle East stability and security will be through multilateral security cooperation, emphasizing the importance of the Jordan-US partnership.
Stroul expressed the Department of Defense's appreciation to His Majesty King Abdullah for his visions, courage, and commitment to bringing world and regional leaders together to work toward common goals and visions.
According to Stroul, when it comes to bilateral military cooperation, the US Department of Defense is particularly proud of the partnership between the US Army and the Jordan Armed Forces and said that the Jordanian army is very competent and has made significant investments toward modernization.
She stated that the seven-year Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Jordan, which is the longest one ever signed between the two nations and includes a significant amount of military aid, is helping to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
According to Stroul, the memorandum was made because the US considers the Jordan Armed Forces to be a crucial partner to work with, particularly in the areas of maritime security, counterterrorism, and regional security, emphasizing the role that the Jordanian army plays in preserving the region's security.
She went on to say that the deal gives Jordan $400 million a year in security assistance, as well as economic aid and support for the refugees that the Kingdom is graciously hosting. It also outlines areas of cooperation like border security and counterterrorism, Stroul also said of the agreement.
Additionally, Stroul reaffirmed that the US is fully committed to Jordan, pointing out that Jordan plays a crucial role in the region's security, stability, and economic prosperity a role that is highly valuable to the US.
She also discussed one of the most significant roles that Jordan plays, which is its ability to bring world leaders together, citing a recent meeting in the city of Aqaba that brought together officials from Jordan, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the US in order to defuse tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Stroul emphasized the need for channels of communication so that 'we can quickly come together, based on mutual understanding and trust, to reduce tension whenever it arises'.
She noted that in another meeting in Aqaba, His Majesty the King convened not only the region's leaders but also world leaders to discuss the threat posed by the terrorist organization 'Daesh' across the Middle East and the world.
According to the American official, His Majesty is aware that a strong and stable partnership everywhere can contribute to the security of the world.
'Jordan is a very important partner, and the US wants to work with the partners in a coalition to coordinate technical, political and military assistance to achieve common goals,' Stroul added.
She indicated that the US Department of Defense has a national defense strategy that outlines how to operate in the Middle East and calls for collaboration with allies and partners to cement regional security in light of terrorist threats, drone strikes, and maritime attacks.
Stroul stated that the role of the US is to keep expanding the opportunities for collaborative work on security, in addition to responding to crises like the Corona pandemic, in order to improve the security and stability of the region.
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