King meets with global leaders in Riyadh

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah met with world leaders to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of King Abdullah’s participation in the third Future Investment Initiative 2019 forum, organised by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, according to the Royal Court.

The King met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, as well as opportunities for cooperation between Jordan and India, a Royal Court statement said.

His Majesty and Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of holding meetings soon for the joint Jordanian-Indian committee to come up with an institutionalised approach for cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment, technical, ICT and industry sectors.

The two sides agreed that officials in Jordan and India should set a programme for economic cooperation within a defined timeframe.

During the meeting, the King highlighted Jordan’s economic programme and Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s keenness to bolster economic cooperation with Jordan and to contribute to the Kingdom’s programme, the statement said.

The meeting also covered efforts to reach political solutions to crises in the Middle East, in addition to regional and international efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh, Adviser to His Majesty for Policies and Media Kamal Al Nasser and Planning Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mohamad Al-Ississ attended the meeting.

Also on Tuesday, His Majesty met with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, with talks focusing on bolstering cooperation opportunities in various fields, in addition to bilateral ties and regional developments.

His Majesty highlighted Jordan's strategic position as a gateway into regional and global markets, as well as the economic advantages offered to investors, referring to the economic programme the Kingdom is implementing, according to another Royal Court statement.

The importance of continuing progress on bilateral agreements was emphasised during the meeting, as well as the need to develop legislation to enhance economic cooperation, especially between the private sectors in both countries.

The meeting also covered the Aqaba Process and regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach, the statement said. 

President Kenyatta expressed appreciation for Jordan’s role, under His Majesty’s leadership, in fighting terrorism and promoting peaceful dialogue.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh, Adviser to His Majesty for Policies and Media Kamal Al Nasser and Planning Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mohamad Al-Ississ attended the meeting.

His Majesty King Abdullah held another meeting with United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday.

During the meeting, which covered bilateral relations and the latest regional developments, His Majesty affirmed the deep-rooted ties with the UAE and keenness to expand cooperation in all areas, according to a separate Royal Court statement.

The need to maintain coordination and consultation between the two countries on various issues of mutual concern was also stressed.

Discussions also covered regional crises and efforts to reach political solutions to bring security and stability to the region and its peoples, the statement said.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh attended the meeting.