Jordanian king’s EU tour to attract investment, enhance regional stability

King Abdullah and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Rome to stress the importance of implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement. (Petra)
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Updated 15 October 2025
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Jordanian king’s EU tour to attract investment, enhance regional stability

  • Ali Murad, the head of Eurocham, underscored the European market as vital for Jordan’s economy
  • He said that King Abdullah’s meetings aim to promote regional stability and development through economic and diplomatic cooperation

LONDON: King Abdullah II of Jordan is on a European tour to Italy, Hungary, and Slovenia to enhance the country’s economic, trade, and investment ties with the EU, while also opening new avenues for cooperation, the president of Eurocham said.

Ali Murad, the head of the European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan, said that King Abdullah’s meetings with European leaders will enhance Jordan’s role as a reliable regional partner and attract European investments in key sectors like technology, renewable energy, industry, and tourism.

Murad underscored the European market as vital for Jordan’s economy, emphasizing the need to enhance exports and expand access through new partnerships and tariff measures.

He told Petra news agency on Wednesday that King Abdullah’s meetings aim to promote regional stability and development through economic and diplomatic cooperation between Jordan and Europe.

Eurocham collaborates with Jordan’s public and private sectors to identify investment opportunities in green projects and innovative infrastructure, Petra added.

On Tuesday, the king and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Rome to stress the importance of implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement, urging all parties, including Israel and Hamas, to work together until the US-brokered deal is fully completed.

King Abdullah also emphasized the importance of efforts to preserve Christian religious sites in Jordan during a separate meeting on Tuesday with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, accompanied by Queen Rania.


About 50,000 worshippers perform Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Updated 23 February 2026
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About 50,000 worshippers perform Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

  • Palestinians are observing Ramadan amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank
  • Over 300 Jerusalemites have recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the fasting month

LONDON: Nearly 50,000 worshippers performed the Isha and Ramadan Taraweeh prayers on Sunday evening at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem.

Thousands of Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa despite facing Israeli military checkpoints and strict identity checks at the mosque’s gates, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

Palestinians are observing the fasting month of Ramadan, which began last Wednesday, amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, including attacks by settlers, and Israeli raids and arrests.

Over 300 Jerusalemites have recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, the Wafa news agency reported.

Israeli forces have increased their military presence in Jerusalem and restricted access to Al-Aqsa to children under 12, men over 55, and women over 50.

Since Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have lined up to pass through military checkpoints, including Qalandiya and Bethlehem, in hopes of attending prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.