King meets German president in Berlin

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday met Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, to discuss the strategic partnership between Jordan and Germany, as well as the latest regional and international developments.

The meeting also covered means of bolstering bilateral cooperation in economy, investment, tourism, development, and ICT, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah reaffirmed keenness to maintain ongoing consultations with Germany on various issues and challenges facing the Middle East. 

Discussions covered the latest developments related to the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem, with His Majesty reiterating the need to preserve the historical and legal status quo in the holy city, maintain calm, and avoid the deterioration of the security situation, especially during Ramadan.

The King cautioned against a stalemate in the peace process as a result of unilateral Israeli policies, emphasising the need to create suitable conditions for the two-state solution as the basis for just and comprehensive peace, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Discussing the security situation in Syria, His Majesty emphasised the need for a political solution to contribute to recovery and enable the return of refugees, pointing out that the protracted impact of the refugee crisis has turned the economic burden into a complex and structural one.

The King also touched on the increase in smuggling attempts across the border with Syria and the challenges emanating from that, stressing that the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army counters such attempts firmly and decisively.

Addressing the situation in Iraq, His Majesty highlighted the importance of bolstering Iraq’s regional Arab role, to secure its stability and step up opportunities for cooperation in joint regional projects.

For his part, President Steinmeier commended political reform in Jordan, under the King’s leadership, which will bolster partisan and political life.

Moreover, discussions touched on the crisis in Ukraine and its implications on regional issues, as well as regional and global food security, with His Majesty noting Jordan’s sufficient strategic reserves of wheat. 

The German president stressed the need for peaceful solutions to end the crisis in Ukraine, noting its continuation will have negative repercussions on all.

The president highlighted Germany’s keenness to step up the strategic partnership with Jordan, voicing praise for the Kingdom’s efforts in hosting refugees, bolstering regional security and stability, and advancing regional and global peace.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and a number of senior German officials attended the meeting.