King, UAE president hold talks in Amman

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday held talks at Basman Palace.

At a bilateral meeting followed by an expanded one, the leaders voiced pride in the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and peoples, expressing keenness to enhance them further, according to a Royal Court statement.

The two leaders discussed means of enhancing strategic cooperation, especially economic, investment, and development partnerships.

During the talks, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein and UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, King Abdullah and Sheikh Mohamed stressed the need to maintain coordination on issues of mutual concern, in service of Arab causes and regional security and stability.

His Majesty commended the UAE’s role in defending Arab causes at the United Nations Security Council, as a non-permanent member.

For his part, Sheikh Mohamed said the two countries share similar visions to achieve sustainable development for their peoples, and to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Discussions covered regional and international issues, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause and efforts to reach just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, in addition to efforts to reach political solutions to regional and international crises.

Talks continued over an official lunch banquet that the King hosted in honour of Sheikh Mohamed and the accompanying delegation.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the UAE Nassar Habashneh attended the talks. 

From the Emirati side, attendees included Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the board of trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of the interior; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, adviser for special affairs at the Ministry of the Presidential Court; UAE Ambassador to Jordan Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber and Humaid Obaid Khalifa Obaid Abu Shabas, president of the Supreme Audit Institution.