JORDAN – Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni went to Jordan in a push to develop closer ties with the Middle Eastern country over culture and tourism and attended the inauguration of Jesus’ Baptism site Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The ceremony took place under King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea and was attended by international religious and political leaders, said GTP Headlines.

She also met with Jordan Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Nayef Hmeidi Al-Fayez who was said to have lauded Greece’s work on the preservation and promotion of archaeological artifacts found during major infrastructure projects such as the Thessaloniki Metro, among others.

They agreed to sign an agreement that will see Greece collaborating with Jordan over museums, promote archaeological sites and try to get tourists from their countries to visit the other.
The prospect of a 2023 joint seminar taking place in Athens on issues related to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage, was also discussed at the meeting, the report said.

The creation of joint translation programs between Greece and Jordan and the support of traditional forms of art that could offer jobs and economic development to local communities, were also discussed in detail.