Jordan, Kazakhstan agree joint vision to develop ties

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah held talks on Friday with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, which focused on ways to boost the relations between the two countries, especially in the economic field. 

The talks also addressed the developments at regional and international levels, according to a Royal Court statement.  

During the Astana meeting, which was attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the King highlighted opportunities to develop cooperation between Jordan and the central Asian country in various areas, including the cultural domain. 

King Abdullah asserted the importance of boosting bilateral cooperation to achieve a prosperous future for the people of the two countries.  

He emphasised the need to activate the work of the Jordanian-Kazakh joint committee to foster cooperation between the two countries.  

The meeting was followed by broader talks at the presidential palace, during which the two leaders emphasised the need to boost joint cooperation, especially in the fields of energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, food industries, tourism and construction. 

The King highlighted the benefits Jordan provides as a gateway into the Middle East, underlining the Kingdom’s competitiveness, evident in its security, stability and qualified human resources. 

King Abdullah also outlined incentives Jordan offers to investors, and called for economic partnership between the public and private sectors in the two countries. 

On a different note, His Majesty called for further cooperation between Amman and Astana within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to boost interfaith initiatives and combat terrorism through promoting moderation and tolerance. 

“Our efforts will strengthen the Islamic world endeavours to boost peace and stability in the Middle East and mid-Asia,” he was quoted as saying in the statement. 

The King expressed his appreciation for Kazakhstan’s support for Jordan’s efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution and relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. 

His Majesty also expressed his gratitude for Kazakhstan’s relief aid extended to Syrian refugees in the Kingdom. 

The King highlighted the continued efforts Jordan is exerting to protect Jerusalem and preserve Islamic and Christian sites there, confronting Israeli unilateral measures and practices that target these sites and aim to alter the true identity of the holy city. 

Regarding the crisis in Syria, King Abdullah stressed Jordan’s position that calls for a political solution to the crisis. 

He also stressed the increasing burdens borne by Jordan as a result of the continued influx of Syrian refugees, which necessitates adequate support by the international community. 

For his part, Nazarbayev welcomed the King’s visit as an opportunity to develop bilateral ties, and expressed his appreciation of the King’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and to offer Syrian refugees the assistance they need. 

The King, accompanied by Prince Hussein, visited a street named after His Majesty King Hussein in Astana. 

The naming came in recognition of the late King’s accomplishments in supporting Islamic causes.