PM meets with chief of Japan Self-Defence Forces

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Sunday met with Chief of Staff and Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) General Koji Yamazaki and his accompanying delegation, where the premier stressed the "strategic" relations between Jordan and Japan.

Khasawneh also referred to "distinguished" ties between His Majesty King Abdullah and Japanese leaders, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister commended the support and assistance that Japan provides to the Kingdom in various fields, stressing the country’s keenness to enhance cooperation to serve the interests of both nations and their citizens.

The premier also referred to the shared values between the two countries in their endeavours to realise peace in the region and the world, citing opportunities for cooperation between both countries’ armed forces in terms of training, exchanging expertise and sharing information.

Khasawneh briefed General Yamazaki with the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly those pertaining to the Palestinian issue and the Kingdom’s efforts to realise regional peace and stability, praising Japan’s stances in support of efforts towards peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution. 

He also reiterated Jordanian positions to realise peace in the region based on the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and the key role played by King Abdullah, in his capacity as custodian over these sites, in efforts to stop unilateral Israeli procedures and preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem. 

For his part, General Yamazaki stressed the "friendship" between Amman and Tokyo, stressing his keenness to enhance cooperation between the two countries' armed forces in defence, exchanging expertise and training.