Newsletters
Jordanian officials, business representatives, civil society groups and academics are eager to see the Hejaz Railway project implemented quickly, Turkish Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Fuat Oktay said during talks in Amman.
“In almost all our meetings, including with the government and parliament, as well as civil society organizations, the business world and universities, we observed that the Hejaz Railway project is a hot topic in Jordan and that there is great impatience for its implementation,” Oktay said.
Oktay met Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, House of Representatives Speaker Mazin al-Qadi and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Haitham al-Ziyadin during his visit.
He was accompanied by members of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee from several political parties.
Oktay said recent regional developments and the Gulf crisis have made the Hejaz Railway more than a need, calling it a necessity. He said the project would connect the north-south route and could also link with a corridor stretching from China to Europe.
Oktay said the Türkiye-Syria-Jordan route could gain a new dimension through a connection between the Iskenderun and Aqaba ports.
Travel by road from Amman to Gaziantep or Hatay could take 5-6 hours if the infrastructure is strong, he said, adding that the railway would create further opportunities.
Oktay said a possible energy line connecting Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria to Türkiye would benefit both Jordan and Türkiye and help meet Jordan’s energy needs.
He added that the route would also support Türkiye’s goal of becoming an energy connection point.
Oktay stated that the Türkiye-Jordan trade volume is around $2 billion and Turkish investments in Jordan have reached significant levels.
He said Türkiye raised the issue of a free trade agreement repeatedly during the visit, noting that a previous agreement had been suspended due to trade imbalances.
Turkish investments in Jordan total $300 million, while one Turkish company alone is preparing a new $400 million investment in the country, Oktay said.
Oktay also criticized Israel’s regional policy, saying Israel would continue producing new pretexts to attack its neighbors.
He said Israel aimed to expand its territory and borders and seek security and stability through instability among its neighbors.
Oktay said the visit had a “very positive agenda” for Türkiye-Jordan relations and regional issues.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
