King discusses Syria crisis impact with int’l socialist leaders

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received President of Socialist International and former prime minister of Greece George A. Papandreou and an accompanying delegation currently visiting Jordan to check on the condition of the Syrian refugees.

During the meeting, the Monarch reviewed the consequences of the Syrian crisis on the neighbouring countries, especially Jordan, which hosts more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees, said a Royal Court statement.

The King also highlighted the Kingdom’s economic difficulties resulting from hosting the Syrian refugees who constitute tremendous burdens on the infrastructure and services especially in the central and northern regions, the statement said.

The Monarch also stressed the need for more support from the international community and relief organisations to help the Kingdom cope with the consequences of the Syrian crisis and to continue its humanitarian assistance to the refugees, according to the statement.

For his part,  Papandreou commended Jordan’s pivotal role in the region, especially in handling the refugee crisis as well as His Majesty’s efforts to achieve regional stability and security.

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and King’s Office Director Imad Fakhoury.

Also on Monday, Interior Minister Hussein Majali met with Papandreou and the accompanying delegation. 

They discussed the latest developments in the region, especially the Syrian crisis and its repercussions on Jordan, according to Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Planning Minister Ibrahim Saif also met with Papandreou and discussed bilateral relations between the Kingdom and Greece, especially economic ties and ways to boost them. 

The Socialist International is a worldwide organisation of social democratic, socialist and labour parties. It currently brings together 168 political parties and organisations from all continents, according to the organisation’s website.