Georgia handed land plot in Jordan for Georgian culture centre opening

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday presented the Georgian state Order of the Golden Fleece to King Abdullah II of Jordan in a return gesture after the handover by Jordanian authorities of a plot of land near the Jordan River to Georgia for an opening of a Georgian culture centre.

The Government Administration said the PM had presented the monarch with the Order, expressing gratitude for the “very generous decision” on the transfer of the land plot, which he called “the great gift and joy” for Georgia.

Garibashvili also noted the construction of a Georgian cultural centre in the location would help “deepen friendship and cooperation” between the two countries, and increase awareness of the historical heritage of the Georgian and Jordanian people.

The head of the Government stressed the importance of “joint efforts” by secular and clerical authorities from the two countries in the “great historical moment” of Georgia’s “return to the Holy Land” after 300 years following the handover. He highlighted the roles of the Georgian Orthodox Church Patriarch Ilia II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhhamad in the process.

The meeting between the two officials also focused on the security environment in the neighbouring regions, with Garibashvili highlighting the role of Jordan in the Middle East as “one of the most stable and key” countries in ensuring peace and security.

The PM stressed the personal role of King Abdullah in the political decision-making process on Middle East issues and spoke about the importance of “restoring historical ties” with Arab countries.