Jordan's King Abdullah II concluded a full week visit to Washington where he met with top US officials and public institutions.
King Abdullah met with US President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday and reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties of friendship and the strategic partnership between the two countries.
At the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, King Abdullah expressed appreciation for the United States’ ongoing support for Jordan across all sectors, to enable the Kingdom to continue its economic development endeavors and its efforts towards regional stability, Petra news agency reported.
For his part, President Biden expressed full support for Jordan, under His Majesty’s leadership, commending the Kingdom as a critical ally and a force for stability in the Middle East.
The meeting covered the latest regional and international developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, with the King calling for stepping up international efforts to relaunch Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Majesty stressed the United States’ key role in this regard, warning against the cycle of violence in the Palestinian Territories due to unilateral Israeli measures.
President Biden expressed support for the two-state solution, noting the need for urgent mechanisms to stem violence and reduce tensions in the Palestinian Territories.
The President stressed the need to preserve the historic status quo at Al Haram Al Sharif, noting the crucial role of the Hashemite Custodianship in Jerusalem.
Discussions covered ways to deepen Jordanian-US ties and bolster economic and development cooperation, especially through regional integration in infrastructure, energy, water, and climate projects, so that Jordan functions as a hub for this cooperation and investment.
The meeting also covered regional and international efforts to fight terrorism and reach political solutions to regional crises. The crisis in Ukraine and its impact on international peace and security, as well as the global economy were also discussed.
The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation to continue bolstering the historical partnership between Jordan and the United States.
On Thursday, King Abdullah met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (photo) at the Pentagon. King Abdullah warned against the continuous cycle of violence in the Palestinian Territories, especially in light of unilateral Israeli measures, stressing that the repercussions would be damaging to regional security and stability.
In remarks to the media ahead of his meeting with Secretary Austin, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, His Majesty said: “The relationship between our two nations has been an enduring one for many, decades, but specifically between our armed forces.”
The King noted that his visit to Washington, DC, seeks to enhance cooperation with “our American friends”, adding that “as we look to the challenges of the region and the future, we know that we will be standing next to each other more and more. And that gives me tremendous hope.”
His Majesty said countries in the region look forward to cooperating with the United States in bringing stakeholders together to address multiple challenges, including the rise of terrorism that has had two years to incubate and increase during the pandemic, in addition to challenges resulting from the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, and its regional implications.
For his part, Secretary Austin said: “Jordan is a valued leader in a difficult neighborhood and a powerful partner for stability and security in the region,” adding that the longstanding partnership and friendship with Jordan is more important than ever, due to the threats the two countries face.
The US Secretary of Defense stressed the United States’ keenness on bolstering its partnership with Jordan, and expanding it in several fields. He further commended Jordan’s efforts and commitment in the fight against Daesh, and its support for the two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in addition to supporting the security of the Palestinian people, and promoting stability in Lebanon and Iraq.
He expressed the United States’ concern over the latest escalation and violence in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, commending His Majesty’s “critical role” in de-escalating tensions, and noting that the US looks to work with Jordan towards security, stability and just peace for the Palestinians and the Israelis.
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Dina Kawar attended the meeting.
From the US side, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley and a number of senior officials were present.
On Wednesday, King Abdullah II held talks with each of US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and White House National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East & North Africa Brett McGurk separately.
Bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them as well as the latest regional and international developments of mutual interest were discussed.
Upon his arrival to USA, King Abdullah also met on 06 May with Commander of US Central Command General Michael E. Kurilla, and Commander of US Special Operations Command General Richard D. Clarke, in Tampa, Florida.
The two meetings covered means of enhancing military and defense cooperation between Jordan and the United States.
Discussions also addressed regional and international efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.
King Abdullah on Friday departed Washington, DC to head to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to extend his condolences over the passing of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
