On Thursday, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the establishment of a NATO liaison office in the Kingdom, which "contributes to enhancing cooperative relations with the alliance." The ministry stated, in a joint statement with NATO regarding the decision to open the office: “Allies at the NATO Summit in 2024 in Washington approved a plan of action to enhance cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa to keep up with developments in the security, regional, and global landscape. This plan emphasizes the alliance's commitment to bolstering cooperation with southern neighboring countries through the establishment of a liaison office in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which is the first liaison office in the region.”
It added: “The decision to open the office, which was announced during the final statement of the NATO summit in Lithuania in July 2023, marks a milestone in the deep strategic partnership between Jordan and the alliance. It recognizes Jordan’s pivotal role in achieving regional and international stability and commends its extensive achievements in combating cross-border threats such as terrorism and violent extremism.”
The ministry explained that “the office will contribute, as a representation of the alliance, to enhancing political dialogue and cooperation in areas of mutual interest between NATO and Jordan, and will strengthen ongoing communication between Jordan and the alliance, contributing to a deeper understanding of national and regional contexts and achieving the desired progress in implementing partnership programs and activities, which include holding conferences, courses, and training programs in areas such as strategic analysis, emergency planning, public diplomacy, cybersecurity, climate change management, crisis management, and civil defense.”
The Foreign Ministry concluded: “The establishment of a NATO liaison office in Amman builds on nearly three decades of deep bilateral relations, particularly through the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue, and aims to enhance political dialogue and simplify practical cooperation between the alliance and Jordan. This is a natural development in the growing relationship between Jordan and the alliance, which has been extending since 1996.”
