Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy Visited Jordan

Traveling to Amman, the capital of Jordan, for the inaugurations of TİKA projects and official visits, Republic of Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited Al-Wehdat Palestinian Refugee Camp, run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). 

During his speech at the inauguration ceremony of Al-Wehdat Camp Girls’ School, renovated by TİKA, Ersoy stated that Turkey carried its knowledge and experience in the field of development to more than 170 countries around the world through TİKA’s 61 program coordination offices in 59 countries. Emphasizing that Turkey became one of the world’s leading countries in development assistance and especially in humanitarian aid, Ersoy said that Turkey has always extended its helping hand by prioritizing conscience and benevolence and tried to reach those who are oppressed, victimized, and in need around the world. 

“Education will always be TİKA’s main field of activity”

Ersoy underlined that TİKA’s Amman Office carries out its operations in line with this understanding and has implemented a wide range of projects from education to agriculture, from health to cultural cooperation since its opening in Jordan in 2015. Pointing out that the most basic force to help a country achieve its goals for development and progress is educated and qualified labor force, Ersoy said: “Therefore, education will always be TİKA’s main field of activity. Turkey will continue to provide more and more support to ensure that young people in Jordan receive education in better conditions.” Ersoy stressed the importance that girls will receive education at the renovated school and continued: “We are aware that it is essential to empower families and especially women to build a strong society. Therefore, we place emphasis on supporting girls’ participation in school life in countries with which we cooperate for development, as in our country. I believe that more than 1,500 Palestinian girls who will receive education at this school, which we renovated and equipped with a modern science laboratory, library, and computer class, will put their hearts and souls into their education.

“We will continue to collaborate with UNRWA”

Minister Ersoy said that UNRWA has undertaken a highly important task in fulfilling the basic needs of more than 5 million Palestinian refugees for 70 years and plays a critical role in providing access to especially health and education services to more than 2 million Palestinian refugees hosted by Jordan. Stating that they were aware of the political and financial pressure that the agency encounters, Ersoy said: “We strongly supported the Agency, which is critical for Palestinian refugees, and carried out works to encourage the international community to increase its political and financial support during our Advisory Commission Presidency, which ended on July 1, 2019. We will continue to collaborate with UNRWA.”

“Protecting the Palestinian people is a matter of human dignity”

Ersoy stressed that Turkey is always there for its Palestinian brothers and sisters, and said: “We emphasize this issue with the belief that to defend Palestine is to defend humanity, peace, justice, and independence. Our aim is to ensure permanent peace and stability in Palestine. As we say at every opportunity, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the 1967 borders will ensure this. As we continue to fight for this, we will also contribute to the sustainable development of the Palestinian economy and help our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Indeed, as our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized in every setting, protecting the Palestinian people is a matter of human dignity.” Ersoy expressed his gratitude to not only everyone who contributed to the renovation of the school and especially TİKA, which carries Turkey’s friendly feelings to all around the world, but also Jordan for hosting Palestinian refugees and UNRWA authorities for contributing to this bridge of friendship. Ersoy expressed his hope that the school will bring good luck as a sign of the solidarity between the Turkish, Palestinian, and Jordanian people. After speeches, the opening ribbon of the school was cut by Minister Ersoy, UNRWA Assistant Secretary-General Christian Saunders, TİKA Deputy President Serkan Kayalar, the Director of UNRWA Affairs at Jordan Mohammed Adar, and Director-General for Jordan’s Department of Palestinian Affairs Rafiq Khirfan. Girl students performed a folk dance show at the ceremony.

Visit to the Hejaz Railway

Minister Ersoy examined the restoration of the Hejaz Railway Amman Station carried out by TİKA. Hejaz Railways General Manager Salah Allozi greeted Minister Ersoy at the Amman Station. Ersoy received information about the Hejaz Railway from Allozi and watched the slide show presentation prepared for him. During his speech there, Ersoy expressed his gratitude to Jordanian authorities for their effort to protect and restore the cultural heritage. Hejaz Railways General Manager Salah Allozi also expressed his gratitude for the support of Turkey and TİKA in protecting Ottoman works. 

Ersoy examined the construction of the new museum and the restoration of 3 historical buildings carried out by TİKA at the Hejaz Railways Amman Station, and traveled on a restored Ottoman-era wagon for a short time.

Vehicle Support to Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO)

Minister Ersoy also attended the ceremony organized for the delivery of vehicles donated to Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO). Greeted by JHCO President Ayman Al Mufleh at the JHCO Headquarters, Ersoy received information about the works of the charity organization. Ersoy delivered the vehicles donated for the distribution of humanitarian aid with his good wishes.