President Karis: The Middle East conflict must not be allowed to escalate into a regional war

Speaking in Amman with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Crown Prince Al Hussein and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan yesterday, President Alar Karis raised Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, both of which pose a serious threat to international security. The meetings also focused on boosting economic cooperation between Estonia and Jordan.

Addressing the conflict in the Middle East, President Karis said he was concerned about the deteriorating security situation, which is having a serious impact on the already difficult humanitarian conditions in the region. “The conflict must not be allowed to grow into a full-scale regional war,” he said. “Every effort is essential to bring an end to hostilities and achieve a ceasefire, and humanitarian aid must reach those in need without impediment.” He praised Jordan’s peace efforts to alleviate the conflict and the humanitarian aid it has helped to provide to people affected by the hostilities.

President Karis says that a rules-based world order is of key importance to Estonia. “This means that all member countries of the United Nations must abide by the UN Charter,” he added. “The Security Council must be reformed so that it is more effectively able to deal with conflicts that arise around the world.”

Estonia has contributed to relieving the humanitarian situation in Gaza since last October, restoring its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and providing assistance to Lebanon.

In meeting with the King, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Jordan, the Estonian head of state also discussed European security and Russia’s war against Ukraine. “If peace is to be achieved, the Ukrainians must be given maximum support for as long as they need it, which includes lifting restrictions on military assistance,” he said. He also spoke about the assistance that Estonia is providing in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The aim of President Karis’ visit is to bolster economic cooperation between Estonia and Jordan and to help establish new business contacts. As part of this, an Estonian-Jordanian business seminar is being held today.

In discussions with the Jordanian leaders of enhanced economic relations, interest was shown in Estonia’s experience in the spheres of digitalisation, cybersecurity, health tourism and education. “Economic cooperation between Estonia and Jordan presents a lot of opportunities for businesses, and reciprocal visits by delegations will certainly help to find them,” President Karis remarked. “Jordan is interested in Estonia’s e-governance and e-solutions, and I have been accompanied on this trip by companies interested in entering the Jordanian market or working with companies here.”

With the head of state on his visit are representatives of companies from the IT, defence, health care, financial technology, energy, mining, construction and engineering sectors: Eesti Energia, Nortal, Scandinavian Exports, the Admiral Markets Group, Fra Mare Thalasso Spa, Aton Resources, Norvita, the Go Group, Ecomatic, Defsec Intel and Bolt. Also taking part in the visit are Sandra Särav-Tammus, the Deputy Secretary General for Economy and Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and Kaupo Rosin, the director general of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service.