STORY: Jordan, Rwanda ink deal to waive visa requirements on regular passports
DATELINE: Aug. 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:29
LOCATION: Amman
CATEGORY: POLITICS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the meeting
2. various of the press conference
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VINCENT BIRUTA, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
 
STORYLINE:
 
Jordan and Rwanda on Wednesday signed an agreement exempting ordinary passport holders in both countries from visa requirements, the state-run Petra news agency reported.
 
The agreement was signed by Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta in Amman during the second round of strategic dialogue between the two countries.
 
They also signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on the training of diplomats as well as population and urban development.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
"The two countries have decided to waive visas for the entry of citizens to the two countries. This is something that would allow for increased cooperation."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VINCENT BIRUTA, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
"I'm glad that we were able to sign an MoU, which will also waive visas for holders of ordinary passports. The signing of these agreements will help boost people-to-people exchange between our two countries and enhance tourism activities as well as trade and investment."
 
Biruta also announced his country's decision to establish a diplomatic mission in Amman, underlining Rwanda's commitment to expanding cooperation with Jordan in various fields.
 
Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah II met Biruta, and they discussed means of expanding cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade, tourism, investment, agriculture, and defense, according to a statement by Jordan's royal court.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Amman.
(XHTV)