King holds summit meeting with Putin

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Russian President Vladimir Putin held in Moscow on Wednesday a summit meeting that focused on ways to improve bilateral ties and covered recent global and regional developments.

The King first held a one-on-one meeting with Putin, followed by expanded talks attended by officials from the two sides, according to a Royal Court statement.

In remarks to the press ahead of the talks, the King said he was delighted to be back in Moscow and was “looking very much forward to our bilateral relations and discussions this evening on many issues that Russia plays such a pivotal role [in], not only internationally but specifically in our region”.

The King said that Amman endorsed and supported the Astana Syrian peace process, adding that Jordan was “very grateful for Russia’s role in being able to do this because this will bring, I hope, an inclusive future to all Syrian people. And, again, we will work very closely with you as we progress to Geneva talks and other talks”. 

His Majesty stressed the significance of Russia’s role in regional issues.

“Without Russia, we will not be able to find solutions to not only the Syrian problem, but other regional problems in the Middle East,” he told reporters.

King Abdullah said the challenge the two countries and the entire world face is the war on international terrorism. 

“We have been speaking to many in the world that have not listened to your views and our views, but I am glad that I am here today in Moscow to share not only the friendship but the same vision of bringing stability to our region.”

For his part, Putin said he was “pleased to know that our dialogue, our engagement is that of a positive and constant context”, adding that during the King’s visit, “I am sure we will talk about the bilateral relations of ours and definitely we will discuss the regional situation with a special focus on the hotbeds of tension and emphasis on the Syrian settlement”.

He thanked Jordan for “backing the start of the [Syrian peace] process in Astana. Thanks to our joint efforts, there is progress in this process basing and building on the ceasefire, a very important agreement to end hostilities between the governmental and oppositional forces on the ground”.

Putin added: “Let me note and make a special point that the Astana process participants emphasise that there may and there can be no military solution to the Syrian crisis. We definitely count that the Astana talks will become a solid and good foundation for the talks to continue including in Geneva.”

Talks during the meeting covered the outcomes of the Astana conference on Syria and measures to achieve progress in the peace process, and Geneva conference.

The two sides stressed the importance of Jordanian-Russian cooperation to sustain the halt of hostilities in all of Syria, highlighting the role of the moderate opposition in the peace process and fighting terrorist groups.

Discussions also covered the need to include all Syrian segments to reach a peaceful solution.

The King and Putin highlighted the need to prepare for rebuilding the war-torn country, sustain peace and stability, and help refugees return to their country.

The two leaders also outlined the situation in Iraq and means of supporting Baghdad to reach national reconciliation, in addition to discussing regional developments and the Libyan issue.

His Majesty said that it is not possible to deal with the Syrian conflict away from ensuring the stability of Iraq.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, National Security Adviser and General Intelligence Department Director Gen. Faisal Shobaki, King’s Office Director Jaafar Hassan, National Policies Council Rapporteur Abdullah Wreikat, and Jordan’s ambassador in Moscow attended the meeting.

On the Russian side, the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and a number of senior officials.

In Amman, HRH Prince Feisal was sworn in as Regent during the King’s absence.