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Fine-tuning historical relations

Aug 14,2019 - Last updated at Aug 14,2019

His Majesty King Abdullah's meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London last week was no ordinary meeting. Ties between Jordan and the UK go back a long way ever since Jordan won its independence.

Jordanian-British relations are "strategic and deep-rooted" in history. London has been among the early, steady and dependable supporters of Jordan and its policies. Now the King is seeking to deepen these special relations and strengthen them on major policy issues.

The two countries hardly differ on any major regional or international issue, and now is the time to fine-tune these unique relations at a time when regional conflict is escalating. No wonder, the King emphasised the importance of resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of a two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the projected Palestinian state in the West Bank, and along the June 4, 1967 lines.

London has stood by Jordan ever since the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and was the sponsor and advocate of the famous UN Security Council Resolution 242 that called for Israeli withdrawal from the entire West Bank. It is high time to reactivate that pivotal resolution and make it the foundation for resolving the Palestinian case.

The new prime minister is a bold and courageous leader who can be counted on to continue cementing these special relations between the two countries. It is worth noting that London hosted the London initiative this year to bolster the Jordanian economy. Such an initiative needs continuous and sustainable support in order to realise its objective.

It is no secret that the Jordanian economy is undergoing difficulties due to regional obstacles. This is not to mention the huge burden that Jordan bore on behalf of the international community to provide refuge and shelter to some 1.4 million Syrian refugees over the past few years.

As Jordan is counted on to support regional peace and stability and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, its economy must also be supported.

The UK, under the new leadership of Prime Minister Johnson can be expected to spearhead the support for Jordan, including its economy.

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