Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II of Jordan stated on Sunday that Jordan has overcome local and regional challenges through the awareness of the people, the strength of institutions, and the wisdom of leadership. In a special and exclusive interview—the first of its kind with Al Arabiya—he mentioned that no other country has faced complex external challenges and managed to overcome them as Jordan has.
He pointed out that the Jordanian economy lost billions of dollars due to the disruption of Egyptian gas supplies and the closing of borders with Syria. The Crown Prince noted that Jordan has navigated challenges over the past 25 years, including the Arab Spring and its consequences, wars in the region, the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, and global economic crises.
Prince Hussein highlighted that Jordan aims to better promote tourism alongside increasing investment. He also affirmed the goal of developing education and industry, as well as opening new markets. He emphasized that Jordan's priority over the next 25 years is achieving self-sufficiency.
He stressed that the relationships established by His Majesty King Abdullah and the late King Hussein with world leaders have made Jordan's voice heard, even amid differing perspectives. He reiterated that no other country has managed to overcome complex external challenges as successfully as Jordan.
The Crown Prince noted that His Majesty the King opposed the Iraq War in 2003, considering it a wrong and reckless decision. He explained that any decision made by a leader who loves their country is not easy, and one of the toughest situations faced by the King was during the Iraq War.
He added that the primary concern for His Majesty King Abdullah II was to prevent military operations from being launched from Jordan or through its airspace against Iraq, regardless of external pressures. He pointed out that Jordan's stance on the Iraq War did not satisfy either domestic or foreign parties, but it protected the future interests of Jordanians.
He observed that, during crises, the calmness and wisdom of the King resonate with everyone, ensuring that emotions or tensions do not influence his decisions. He affirmed that His Majesty has earned the world's respect because he is sincere, and his statements in closed doors are the same as in public.
