Enduring and strategic partnership

The visit of His Majesty King Abdullah, the first Arab leader to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House, bears ample testimony to the steadfast and strategic partnership between Jordan and the US.

The Oval Office talks, covering expanding strategic partnership between Amman and Washington, regional and international developments, foremost of which the Palestinian cause, have again consolidated Jordan’s vital regional role as a guarantor of safety and security in a volatile region.

Assuredly, the US’ support for the Hashemite Custodianship of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem underscores Jordan’s crucial historical and religious role in the holy city. 

The Palestinian cause took centre stage during the meeting wherein His Majesty stressed the need to relaunch serious and effective talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution. In the same regard, President Biden expressed his strong support for the two-state solution.

Touching on regional developments, the King underlined the need to support Iraq's efforts in bolstering its security and stability, whereas the US president commended the Kingdom’s peace overtures in the region.

Efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach were also mooted during the extensive talks, notably the Aqaba Process initiative, launched by His Majesty to enhance coordination and cooperation among various regional and international stakeholders in the fight against terrorism and its root causes. 

The Oval Office talks, followed by a series of meetings the King held with President Biden’s top foreign policy and national security officials, were a testament to the role of His Majesty as a moderate and pragmatic leader that the US can count on amid the shifting sands of Mideast politics.

During the White House talks, the King thanked president Biden.

“Thank you as always for the kindness that you have shown me. And, as you alluded to, I have had the honour and privilege of knowing you with my father decades ago. And so, this is very warming for me to be able to see you in this position and to thank you for the generosity you always have shown me and my country,” His Majesty said. 

The King also thanked the US for dispatching a shipment of 500,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Jordan. The vaccine delivery reflects the importance of the US-Jordan relations and demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to share US vaccine supply with the world.

Similarly, President Biden noted the long-standing relationship with His Majesty: “I want to welcome back to the White House a good, loyal, and decent friend, His Majesty. We have been hanging out together for a long time. I met him back when he was in the situation his son is in when his father was alive, and I was a young senator.”

President Biden thanked His Majesty for his “enduring and strategic relationship with the United States”.

In all respects, the meeting of minds at the White House charts a promising course in the Amman-Washington ties that will only serve to pacify regional tensions.