(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) In a speech at the opening session, King Felipe VI of Spain, thanked Jordan for the invitation to participate in the forum.
'His Majesty King Abdullah II is an effective partner. We have close and historic relations with the Hashemite family, and we appreciate His Majesty's efforts to host the forum at the regional and global levels', he said.
The monarch referred to the keynote speech of HRH Crown Prince Hussein, saying 'It is an opportunity to listen to His Highness, and we appreciate the young prince's participation for generations on how to work and achieve hope in the future.' King Philip said his country is keen to strengthen cooperation with MENA countries and Europe, especially in facing challenges, stressing the importance of liberalizing trade between countries, pointing to the economic crisis faced by his country in previous years and its ability to overcome them.
He stressed the importance of the role of youth in economic development, adding: 'We look forward to the role of youth and tell them there is hope and we will carry out our responsibility and do our best'.
He also expressed his appreciation for Jordan that had hosted the largest number of Syrian refugees as well as its role in achieving peace and sustainable development, stressing that the Kingdom is a role model for constructive cooperation with the international community.
Prince Felipe said Spanish companies are ready to cooperate with the region in the fields of energy, infrastructure and water treatment.
'We want to create the appropriate circumstances for the private sector to be able to actively participate in economic development and partner in prosperity', he said.
He said MENA is a region of great potentials, adding that 'we have to make progress towards peace and to fight terrorism'.
Iraqi President Fouad Massoum said in his speech that Iraq had triumphed in fighting terrorism, expressing hope 'the victories will be crowned with the liberation of Mosul, the last Daesh stronghold in Nineveh, and that the page on Daesh group will be turned before the end of this year'.
Iraqis should be ready for the battle of reconstruction, which is not less important than the battle against terrorism and extremism, said the Iraqi leader, adding that reconstruction is the country's top priority alongside the return of displaced civilians to their cities.
Massoum said Iraq had put forward 'ambitious and comprehensive' plans to stabilize the country, with the help of the international community, namely the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, stressing the need for continued support to expedite reconstruction projects, boost democracy and deregulation, combat corruption, introduce technology and build a public-private partnership.
He said Iraq is open to investors and that Iraqi laws offer privileges and guarantees to protect their investments, noting the country's keenness to participate with world nations to improve the economy and secure an environment supportive of freedoms and human rights and advocating broader participation by women in public life and economic activity.
Massoum thanked Jordan, HM King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein for their efforts to create the suitable environment for holding the forum, which, he said, would bring benefits to all world countries.
Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said in remarks that Jordan's hosting of the WEF underlined the Kingdom's commitment to international cooperation and enhancing peace and development in the MENA region and the entire world.
He said creating the circumstances for transformation to future generations required a climate of security and peace in the region and ending conflicts, calling for making use of the ambitious proposals by participants and global expertise in socio-economic development.
WEF founder and executive chairman, Klaus Schwab, said in opening remarks that the wide participation in the gathering underlined the business community's confidence in the Middle East and its future, particularly as many young entrepreneurs are taking part alongside political leaders and the business community.
The youth, he said, have the determination to participate in bearing the responsibility, and that 'we, as political and business leaders, have to listen to them', noting the key initiatives that will be launched during the forum on promoting entrepreneurship and empowerment of start-ups in the region.
Also attending the WEF opening session were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Egyptian Prime Minister Sharif Ismail, Georgian prime minister Giorgi Kuprashvili as well as ministers from Arab and world countries.
Jordan is hosting the WEF at the Dead Sea for the ninth time in a partnership between the forum and the King Abdullah II Development Fund.
SS, SK
20/5/2017 - 04:46:10 PM
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