Jordan, Georgia to boost cooperation in crisis management

By Hani Hazaimeh

AMMAN - Minister of Interior Mohammad Al Raoud and his Georgian counterpart Ivane Merabishvili on Thursday signed an agreement that paves the way for boosting joint cooperation in civil defense crisis management.

Al Raoud said Amman and Tblisi are parties to several agreements that have contributed to enhancing bilateral ties and boosting cooperation, adding that the newly signed agreement will add a new brick to the wall of Jordan’s and Georgia’s “strong and distinguished relations”.

“Our two countries signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement in 2010 and earlier this year the two sides signed a joint cooperation agreement in the health, tourism, trade, science and technology, culture, investment, education and youth sectors,” he added.

“The Civil Defense Department (CDD) in the Kingdom has advanced experience in crisis and disaster management. The government recently established the Regional Civil Protection Center in cooperation with the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO),” the minister said, noting that the center is tasked with providing a databank of civil protection related news and exchanging technical data and experience among ICDO members.

Merabishvili said Georgia has been subject to frequent natural and manmade disasters and aspires to benefit from the Kingdom’s experience in crisis management and civil protection services.

“Jordan’s has acquired an advanced reputation in this field for its regional and international efforts in assisting countries subject to different kinds of disasters. We hope that the agreement will facilitate more cooperation and stronger ties between our two countries,” he added.

Merabishvili said his ministry will work with the Georgian ministry of foreign affairs to seek an agreement with its Jordanian counterpart to cancel visa requirements for citizens of both countries, in order to increase the flow of tourists between Jordan and Georgia and give their citizens the opportunity to learn more about each other’s cultures.

16 December 2011

Source: The Jordan Times.
Link: http://www.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=44376.