During her two-day visit to Jordan, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Sigrid Kaag, met with Jordanian youth in an open discussion, visited Zaatari Refugee Camp, and met with the ministers of agriculture and planning & international cooperation.

Kaag’s visit to Mafraq’s Zaatari Refugee Camp focused on reviewing the needs of the refugees and finding ways to intensify the support to Jordan in order to enable the kingdom continue its humanitarian assistance and vocational training to displaced Syrians.

Kaag also visited UNICEF supported centers and participated in a football game with girls in the camp.

"This is an international responsibility and an international effort," Kaag said, adding that Netherlands and the rest of EU members will keep providing funds to Jordan.

In a public discussion on “Youth labour market", which was organized by the Dutch embassy and Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum, Kaag expressed her delight in exchanging ideas with Jordanian youth about employment, the challenges they face and opportunities they have.

“Jordanian youth know very well what they want, their suggestions are really specific as to what’s required, and they are very ambitious. So I think when you have that level of drive, clarity of purpose, and with investments coming from abroad required to help Jordan sustain its economy but also expand and strengthen its economic-base, I think we should be hopeful. There is a necessity, we have to admit that, at the same time Jordan youth is full of goals, hopes, and they are very specific. So I am confident,” Kaag told Roya reporter after the discussion.

Kaag met with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Mary Kawar, on the second day of her visit. The two discussed the Dutch efforts to aid Jordan in its economic development of agricultural, trade, education, vocational training and technical education sectors.

Sigrid confirmed that Jordan will be the recipient of a development assistance program offered by the Dutch government. The three refugee host countries of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, which are most affected by the refugee influx will receive a total of EU 400 million during a five-year period between 2019- 2022.

Her Excellency also sat with Minister of Agriculture, Khalid Hneifat, to explore future cooperation between the countries to advance Jordan’s agricultural sector and irrigation technology.