King meets with UK House of Commons foreign affairs, defence committees

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday held two separate meetings with the chairpersons and members of the UK House of Commons committees on foreign affairs and defence.

The teleconference meetings, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, covered the strategic relations between Jordan and the United Kingdom, and the latest regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King reaffirmed Jordan’s steadfast position on the Palestinian cause and the need to achieve a comprehensive and just peace on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the statement said.

His Majesty lauded the United Kingdom's position on the Palestinian cause, and its efforts towards peace in the region.

Moreover, the King reiterated that any unilateral Israeli measure to annex lands in the West Bank is unacceptable, as it would undermine the prospects of achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, according to the statement.

Discussions at the two meetings focused on bolstering Jordan-UK cooperation across various sectors, especially economic, military and security fields, as well as efforts to counter and contain coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and maintain coordination to alleviate its humanitarian and economic implications.

His Majesty noted Jordan’s advanced pharmaceutical sector and highlighted the Kingdom as a medical tourism destination, in line with public health and safety standards, the statement said. 

The King also commended the UK’s efforts at the international level to counter COVID-19 and mitigate its repercussions, including recently holding the Global Vaccination Summit, in cooperation with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

His Majesty expressed appreciation of the UK’s support for Jordan through development programmes and assistance for refugees.

Discussions at the two meetings also covered regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach.

For their part, members of the two committees highlighted the excellent ties of friendship between Jordan and the UK, expressing keenness to hear the King’s perspective on developments in the Middle East and around the world.

 They also stressed the importance of the meetings to discuss opportunities to bolster cooperation between the two countries.