AQABA -- The calm of this increasingly stylish city was recently interrupted for about a week by a whirlwind of activities organised by French embassy and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) officials.
Jazz concerts, movie screenings, entertainment with French songs and a remarkable photo exhibition documenting King Hussein and Princess Muna's visit to France in November 1964 were part of the activities meant to reach the inhabitants of this coastal city, bringing them closer to the French people and culture.
Not forgotten was the "Vote for Petra" campaign; a well advertised bus was placed in the centre of the town for people wishing to vote for the rose-red city to become one of the new seven wonders of the world.
The 40-year-long relations between the two countries witnessed France's efforts to affirm itself culturally, archaeologically, in cinema and language, French Ambassador in Amman Denys Gauer said at a press conference Sunday in Tala Bay.
"Militarily, we have developed ties; economically, especially, France made its presence felt. We are happy with the investments in Jordan: France Telecom, Lafarge, Sweiss, the water company, Société Générale, the Paris airport which will take over QAIA. But we are not sufficiently represented in Aqaba, hence our visit today," said the ambassador in the presence of ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nader Dahabi.
"We have a small presence, a military boat, now. But there will be more visits to Aqaba because it is safe and welcoming," added Gauer.
The presence of the imposing Somme, a navy ship that conducts Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, provided the opportunity to organise cultural activities, which will continue, according to the ambassador, not only in Aqaba but in most governorates of the country.
Thus, besides exploring the many possibilities of investing in the port city, amply and professionally presented by Saleh Kilani, commissioner for Economic Development and Investment Affairs at ASEZA, and officials from the Aqaba Development Corporation, "the private sector corporation and central development body for ASEZA," the inhabitants of this city on the northern parts of the Gulf of Aqaba were given a taste of French culture and reminded of the long ties between the two peoples.
Most poignant, in this vein, is a photo exhibition at Mövenpick Hotel, open to the public, recording King Hussein's visit to France, his meetings with General Charles de Gaulle, prime minister Georges Pompidou, other notable French and foreign officials, and Parisian landmarks: Elysée Palace, Arc de Triomphe in Place de l'Etoile, Paris Town Hall, the Palace of Foreign Affairs.
Other than being a few rare snapshots capturing the commanding appearance of a beloved King and a famous general, and a glimpse at the pomp and fashion of the time, the black and white photos also give a historical perspective of events. For example, the shot of members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Paris being introduced to the King is accompanied by a caption telling the viewer that the People's Republic of China was recognised by France that same year (1964).
The photographs perhaps best sum up the nature and extent of relations between Jordan and France, ties that witnessed great development over the years and hold promise for more.
By Ica Wahbeh
© Jordan Times 2007
