King starts EU tour, to visit Morocco Tuesday

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday left the Kingdom for a European tour, during which he will visit Brussels and Strasbourg, according to a Royal Court statement.

The Royal Court also announced that the King, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania, is scheduled on Tuesday to pay a two-day working visit to Morocco, after receiving an invitation from Moroccan King Mohammed VI.

Both leaders are scheduled to hold talks focusing on ways to further enhance cooperation between the two kingdoms, and the latest developments in the regional and international arenas.

King Abdullah will also meet with senior Moroccan officials.

In Brussels on Monday, King Abdullah is scheduled to hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel to discuss bilateral relations and means to enhance them in various fields, in addition to regional and international developments. 

His Majesty will also meet Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general, to discuss the Kingdom’s ties with NATO member states, according to the Royal Court. 

The Monarch will then visit Strasbourg, where he will address the European Parliament on Tuesday, focusing on key issues and challenges facing the region, especially the war against terrorism, efforts to achieve peace, and enhancing security and stability in the region. 

The King will also meet in the French city with European Parliament President Martin Schulz, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

During meetings with these officials discussions will cover bilateral ties and ways of cooperation, in addition to developments in the Middle East, the statement added.

HRH Prince Feisal was sworn in as Regent.