Jordan, S. Arabia set to increase cooperation in various fields

AMMAN — Jordan and Saudi Arabia have announced a package of measures intended to “enhance cooperation between the two countries,” according to a joint statement.

The statement was released following a meeting in Aqaba between His Majesty King Abdullah and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud.

Following is the unofficial translation of the statement:

“Based on the deep-rooted relations between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and his brother the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, HRH Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy of the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, on Monday 4/7/1437[Hijri calendar], corresponding to April 11, 2016, paid a visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, responding to a kind invitation by His Majesty King Abdullah II, who held a meeting with His Highness, who conveyed to His Majesty greetings from the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Mohammad Bin Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. 

The King and Prince Mohammad discussed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to develop them, in addition to the latest developments at the regional and international levels. 

The two sides underlined the importance of political consultation between the two countries over regional issues and crises, stressing the importance of political solution as the best option to end them and the need to preserve the territorial unity, sovereignty and stability of the regional countries, rejecting interference in the internal affairs of these states. 

The two sides voiced their rejection of the policy of interference followed by Iran in the region, which incites sectarian sedition and fuels terrorism. They warned Iran against continuing with its present approach, which deepens disputes and conflicts in the region and jeopardises its stability.

The two sides stressed the need to enhance the existing cooperation in the fields of security, anti-extremism and counterterrorism, renewing their condemnation of the acts of terror that have targeted several countries. They emphasised the importance of taking part in the international efforts to combat terrorism through international and military coalitions. 

Upon directives by the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his brother His Majesty King Abdullah II, the two sides agreed to enhance the existing cooperation between them in the following fields:

- Developing military cooperation in a manner that would promote security and stability in the region.

- Enhancing cooperation the field of energy, uranium mining and generating electricity using nuclear power.

- Promoting commercial cooperation and stepping up efforts to increase trade exchange, providing more opportunities for Jordanian exports to the Saudi market and strengthening the role of businesspeople in commercial cooperation between the two countries.

- Enhancing partnership in joint developmental and investment projects that can be implemented with the private sector. 

- Signing a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint investment fund.

- Cooperating in the field of transportation, especially with regard to transporting goods between the two countries and drawing up sound plans to realise that.

The two sides will continue their communication to follow up on progress made in the implementation of the agreements reached. 

Towards the end of the one-day visit, His Majesty acquainted the Saudi official with the products manufactured and developed by the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau, including state-of-the-art military vehicles.  

Further Jordan-Saudi Arabia cooperation 

Jordan and Saudi Arabia agreed to enhance the existing cooperation between them in the following fields:

• Developing military cooperation in a way that promotes security and stability in the region.

• Cooperating in the field of energy, uranium mining and producing electricity using nuclear power.

• Enhancing commercial cooperation and stepping up efforts to increase the volume of trade exchange, providing more opportunities for Jordanian exports to the Saudi market and strengthening the role of businesspeople in commercial cooperation between the two countries.

• Enhancing partnership in joint developmental and investment projects that can be implemented with the private sector. 

• Signing a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint investment fund.

• Cooperating in the field of transportation, especially with regard to transporting goods between the two countries and drawing up sound plans to realise that.