Jordan aims to expand partnership with Australia

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday held talks with the Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove and an accompanying delegation, during which he stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to expand its economic, security and defence partnership with Australia.

The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting, followed by expanded talks attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania and HRH Crown Prince Hussein.

Thanking Governor General Cosgrove for the hospitality shown during the state visit to Australia last year, His Majesty said the two countries have always had a warm relationship and strong political, military and security ties.

The King also expressed commitment to working towards strengthening economic ties with Australia.

Jordan and Australia face common challenges, His Majesty continued, noting that the governor general’s visit is a reminder of the special relationship shared by the two countries and their peoples, a Royal Court statement said.

This visit is an opportunity to strengthen cooperation, exchange views, and work jointly in a holistic approach to face the global challenge of terrorism, the King added.

For his part, Cosgrove thanked the King and Queen Rania for their hospitality, noting that his country is proud of its deep-rooted
ties with Jordan.

He also congratulated Crown Prince Hussein on his graduation from the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst and praised his speech at the General Assembly of the United Nations in September.

Recalling Their Majesties’ visit to Australia last year, Cosgrove voiced hope that his visit to Jordan would be a further demonstration of the friendship between the two countries that will continue to prosper in the future.

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi, King Office Director Jafar Hassan, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah, Jordanian Ambassador in Australia Ali Kraishan and Australian Ambassador to Jordan Miles Armitage attended the meeting. 

Prime Minister Hani Mulki also met with Cosgrove, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them to serve the interests of the two countries.

They also discussed developments in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian issue, the situation in Syria and Iraq, and the war on terror. The premier stressed that resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution is necessary for achieving stability in the region.

Mulki emphasised the impact of the Syrian crisis on Jordan, noting that receiving about 1.3 million refugees put pressure on the country’s infrastructure in general, and education, health and water in particular. The prime minister pointed out that Jordan was one of the first countries to confirm that the way out of the Syrian crisis is only through a political solution. He also stressed that Jordan is making every effort to restore security and stability in Syria, Iraq and the region.

Mulki stressed Jordan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism within the framework of a holistic strategy, including fighting it militarily and ideologically.

The governor general praised the relations between Jordan and Australia, and expressed aspirations to increase bilateral cooperation between the two countries on all issues of common concern. He also acknowledged the degree of the burdens borne by Jordan as a result of the regional situation in the Middle East.