Jordan King discusses ties, region with EU official

King Abdullah II on Monday discussed with EU foreign policy chief Catherine, Ashton means of forging closer cooperation between Jordan and the EU within the partnership agreement signed by the two sides 10 years ago. The King valued the EU’s continued support to plans and programs carried out by Jordan to achieve sustainable development in various field, especially that Jordan enjoys advanced status with the EU. The King and Ashton also reviewed Jordan’s comprehensive reform process that aim at achieving a better future for all Jordanians. On Syria, His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s suppport for a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the country’s unity, pointing to efforts exerted by the Kingdom to provide humanitarian services to the Syrian refugees. At the meeting, which was attended by Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Director of the King’s Office Imad Fakhoury, the King and Ashton also discussed efforts to arrive at a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that addresses all final status issues and leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. The EU official, who is currently on a visit to the Kingdom within a tour of the region, hailed the strong ties between Jordan and the EU. She also voiced the EU’s support to Jordan’s efforts to provide services to the displaced Syrians.