UK’s Barton begins Jordan visit

UK’s Barton begins Jordan visit

AMMAN — The UK Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sir Philip Barton is visiting Jordan from July 9-11 to discuss the UK-Jordan strategic partnership and shared priorities, including key international and regional developments.

Barton is the most senior civil servant from the FCDO and has led the UK’s Diplomatic Service since 2020. He will the outline the importance the UK places on Jordan’s role for stability in the region and highlight ongoing and longstanding support to Jordan, said a statement from the British embassy. 

He will meet counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss strengthening UK-Jordan collaboration, including through a UK diplomatic training programme for junior Jordanian diplomats, and the introduction of the cheaper and easier Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for Jordanians travelling to the UK from February 2024. He is also expected to discuss the Jordan Response Plan for the Syrian Crisis and long-term cost-effective solutions for refugees in Jordan with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan.