King discusses partnership with US in Washington DC

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Friday discussed Jordan’s strategic partnership with the US, and regional and international developments during talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

They underlined the importance of the historical ties of friendship between Jordan and the United States, and the commitment to advancing them in various fields while maintaining coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern.

Moreover, the meeting covered efforts to move the peace process forward, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to re-launch serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the two-state solution, which leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Discussions also addressed the need to support UNRWA to enable it to continue its education, health and relief services to Palestinian refugees.

The importance of supporting efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis through the Geneva process was also highlighted, in addition to the need to preserve the de-escalation zone in southwestern Syria, which was secured through a trilateral Jordanian-US-Russian agreement.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas and Jordan’s Ambassador to the United States Dina Kawar attended the meeting.

Secretary Pompeo hosted a luncheon in honour of His Majesty and the accompanying delegation.

Also on Friday, King Abdullah met separately with US Secretary of Defence James Mattis and US National Security Adviser John Bolton. They discussed ways to advance Jordanian-US ties, in addition to current developments in the Middle East.

Talks covered military and defence cooperation between the two countries and means to enhance coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern, with the aim of achieving security and stability in the region.

The importance of preserving stability and calm in the de-escalation zone in southwestern Syria was discussed at the two meetings.

The discussions also addressed the role of the UNRWA in providing education, health and relief services for Palestinian refugees, and the need to support the UN agency to continue its humanitarian role.

Moreover, discussions tackled a number of regional issues and crises, and efforts to resolve them through political solutions, as well as efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach and Jordanian-US cooperation in this regard.

His Majesty on Friday also met separately with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to discuss expanding Jordanian-US economic and commercial cooperation.

During the two meetings, discussions addressed the importance of increasing commercial exchange between Jordan and the United States, and capitalising on the Free Trade Agreement.

The meetings also covered the advantages and incentives offered by the Jordanian economy to investors, and the potential of benefitting from Jordan’s strategic location and its qualified human resources.

In addition, discussions touched on Jordan’s economic reform programmes aimed at bolstering the resilience of its economy to enable it to overcome challenges ensuing from regional crises, as well as the repercussions of the Syrian refugee crisis on Jordan’s economy, its limited resources and services provided to host communities.

During the two meetings, the US officials expressed the US’ appreciation for Jordan’s efforts in hosting Syrian refugees, stressing their country’s support for the Kingdom’s measures to bolster its economy’s ability to overcome challenges.

Dabbas, Adviser to His Majesty for Economic Affairs Mohammad Al Eses and Kawar attended the two meetings.