Jordan Times
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
King renews warning against
Israeli measures in Jerusalem
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN - His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday cautioned once more against the
consequences of unilateral Israeli measures in Jerusalem on efforts to achieve
peace in the region.
At a meeting with visiting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, King Abdullah
underlined Jordan’s rejection of any attempts to threaten the Islamic and
Christian sites in the holy city and alter the identity of Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Jordan and Azerbaijan on Monday signed the Executive Programme for
Cooperation between the two governments in the sectors of science and education,
culture and arts, youth and sports, archaeology, health and information for the
years 2010-2012.
The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of
information and communications technology.
King Abdullah and Her Majesty Queen Rania received the visiting Azerbaijani
president and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva yesterday at the start of their
two-day visit to the Kingdom, a Royal Court statement said.
At the meeting, King Abdullah and the Azerbaijani leader underlined the need for
officials from both countries to take practical steps to boost cooperation,
especially in the fields of economy, industry, investments and trade exchange,
according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
The two leaders highlighted the growth in bilateral trade volume, stressing that
there is room for increased cooperation in this field.
Jordan’s exports to Azerbaijan rose from JD480,000 in 2007 to about JD1.5
million by the end of August. The country’s imports from Azerbaijan reached
about JD52 million in 2007 and 2008.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of benefiting from investment
opportunities in Azerbaijan in the medical, educational, IT, engineering and
construction sectors, while the King highlighted investment opportunities in
Jordan.
Discussions also covered developments in the Middle East. The King reviewed
efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the
two-state solution within a regional context that is based on relevant terms of
reference, especially the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The two leaders underlined the need to intensify efforts to launch serious and
effective peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis to end the conflict
on the basis of the two-state solution and to establish an independent
Palestinian state that lives side by side with Israel.
The two leaders also discussed issues of concern to the Muslim world, underling
the need to work hand in hand to activate collective action among Muslim
countries.
In this regard, the Azerbaijani president referred to Baku’s selection as the
capital of Islamic culture for the year 2009.
King Abdullah and Aliyev underlined the need to activate cultural cooperation
and exchanges of visits between the two countries.
Following the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Amer Hadidi said
discussions covered the possibility of an Azerbaijani public investment company
taking part in investments in Jordan.
Also yesterday, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi highlighted the “distinguished”
political ties between Jordan and Azerbaijan, stressing the need to enhance
bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, trade and cultural
exchange at a meeting with the Azerbaijani president.
Aliyev expressed his country’s readiness to help Jordanian contracting companies
take part in Azerbaijan’s public tenders.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Major Khaled Sarayreh on Monday
discussed with Azerbaijani Minister of Defence Industry Yaver Jamalov and an
accompanying delegation bilateral ties and means to develop military cooperation
between the two countries.
Also Monday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh discussed with his Azeri counterpart
Elmar Mammadyarov ways to enhance cooperation ties between Jordan and
Azerbaijan. Judeh underlined the need to boost bilateral ties at all levels to
serve the interests of the two countries, acquainting the Azeri official on the
Kingdom’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.
At a meeting yesterday to sign the executive programme for cooperation, Minister
of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al-Ali said the programme comes
within the framework of Jordan’s keenness to strengthen and develop bilateral
cooperation with Azerbaijan in several areas of common interest.
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister commended the signing of the executive programme,
underling his country’s commitment to developing and strengthening bilateral
relationships.
In honour of the Azerbaijani leader and his spouse, Their Majesties held a
dinner banquet yesterday.