Jordan Times
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
King urges FTAs with
African states
Monarch arrives in South Africa to meet with Mbeki, Mandela
PRETORIA (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah
arrived here Monday on a several-day visit during which he will hold talks with
President Thabo Mbeki on means to boost economic cooperation.
King Abdullah, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Princes Ali, Hamzah and
Hashem as well as Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez and Foreign Minister Farouq
Qasrawi, will also meet with former president Nelson Mandela.
Earlier yesterday, the King concluded a several-hour visit to Tanzania, where he
met with President Benjamin Mkapa in Dar es Salaam to explore ways for
bolstering economic ties.
During the meeting, the Monarch said Jordan was ready to exchange with Tanzania
educational and agricultural expertise as well as offer scholarships to
Tanzanian students at Jordanian universities.
Urging efforts to encourage private sectors in both countries to set up joint
investment projects, King Abdullah called for signing free trade agreements (FTAs)
between African states and Jordan.
The two leaders, meanwhile, discussed developments in the Middle East and
Africa.