UAE leaders congratulate Jordan on centenary

UAE praises Jordan's resilience and unifying political outlook

King Abdullah I of Transjordan, later Jordan, centre, with Lebanese Defence Minister Emir Majid Arslan, second from left, Syrian Prime Minister Jamil Mardam Bey, third from left, and Lebanese Prime Minister Riad Al Solh, among others, at a meeting in Amman in 1948. AFPShow less

The UAE is joining Jordan in celebrating the kingdom's centenary, with its leaders praising the ties between the two countries.

Modern Jordan originated during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1916, which was led by Sharif Hussein of Makkah and his four sons.

One of his sons, Abdullah, was proclaimed the Emir of Transjordan on April 11, 1921.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, stressed the depth of the UAE's ties with Jordan in messages of congratulations posted on Twitter on Saturday.

"Jordan has love for the people of the Emirates and its leaders since the founding of the state," Sheikh Mohammed wrote in a tweet.

The message was accompanied by a video showing Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, receiving King Hussein of Jordan, and visits to the Emirates by his son and successor, King Abdullah II.

In a video message accompanying his tweet, Sheikh Mohamed said that relations between the UAE and Jordan "were firmly established by my father Sheikh Zayed and King Hussein bin Talal".

"Ties have flourished, not only at an official level but also between the people of our nations, thanks to the bond that exists between Arabs, Islam, our shared values and moderate outlook, and the tolerance that unites us," he said.

"Congratulations to my brother King Abdullah II and the dear people of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan on their centennial.

"May Jordan continue to be a beacon of peace, reason and wisdom in the world."

An official statement released by the state news agency Wam said: "The UAE will join with the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan in celebrating the 100th anniversary since its founding.

"Jordan, after 100 years, has become an effective country in the region.

"The Hashemites were able to build a modern, developed state based on the constitution and laws belonging to Arabism, while rejecting infighting and adopting moderation as a fundamental principle in its foreign policy."

Jordan has for decades been described by analysts and historians as an "island of stability" in the region.

The kingdom has retained this status despite times of regional turmoil, including the 1973 oil crisis, the First Gulf War and the conflict in Syria.

"UAE-Jordanian relations, established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan, and sustained by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Abdullah II of Jordan, are distinguished by a high level of coordination in all fields," Wam reported.

The UAE statement of support finished by highlighting recent remarks from UAE leaders about the partnership between the two countries.

"The UAE and Jordan will remain one heart, one hand and one path of goodness towards a promising future," said Sheikh Mohammed.

Sheikh Mohamed said: "Our countries share a strong commitment to strengthening our co-operation and focusing on stability and development in our region."