Jordan, Turkey set to boost ties, sustain coordination

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over bilateral ties and regional developments, a Royal Court statement said.

During the meeting, at Al Husseiniya Palace, His Majesty and the Turkish leader stressed the importance of continued coordination between Jordan and Turkey over issues of mutual concern and ways to boost economic and investment cooperation. 

In remarks at the expanded meeting, King Abdullah welcomed the Turkish president in his “second home”.

 His Majesty thanked Erdogan for the strong positions he has taken on the challenges involving Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and Jerusalem, and his support for Jordan in the face of challenges.

The King said he exchanged views with the Turkish leader on a number of issues of mutual concern, noting the historical relationship between Jordan and Turkey as they mark the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Discussions will continue, His Majesty said, on how to improve the political, economic, military, defence and social ties between the two countries, highlighting the various opportunities inherent in these fields. 

Jordan and Turkey have both been affected by terrorism and extremism, the King noted, stressing that this is another opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two peoples.

His Majesty said the two countries will continue facing the challenges ahead shoulder to shoulder and will be able to overcome all the obstacles.

For his part, Erdogan thanked His Majesty for the invitation to visit Jordan and thanked the Jordanian people for their solidarity during the failed coup attempt last year.

Erdogan said that Turkey will continue supporting Jordan in its efforts of protecting the holy sites in Jerusalem.

Following is the joint communiqué released following the talks between His Majesty King Abdullah and the Turkish President: 

On the 21st of August 2017, His Majesty King Abdullah hosted his brother, His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, on  a one-day official visit, during which the two leaders held one to one talks, followed by expanded discussions on means of  developing cooperation in various fields, in the service of their brotherly peoples. The two leaders also discussed efforts to advance peace, stability, and progress in the region, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Turkey, which marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, share deep-rooted, brotherly ties, built on mutual respect.  

The two sides emphasised the importance of solidifying their two countries’ economic ties and discussed ways to increase bilateral trade and investments, calling for increased cooperation between the two countries’ officials to further enhance bilateral ties.

The two leaders encouraged the private sectors in both countries to continue their efforts to boost economic cooperation, explore investment opportunities in various fields and to increase the exchange of visits and expertise.

King Abdullah and President Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the growing level of defence and security cooperation, noting their shared interest in continued and close coordination in these fields.

With the two countries neighbouring Syria and being among the most affected by the repercussions of the crisis there, the discussions covered the Syrian refugee crisis and the huge burdens Jordan and Turkey are shouldering on behalf of the world.

The two leaders stressed the need for the international community to step up and increase its support for neighbouring countries to help them cope with the huge and increasing economic, social and security pressures of the refugee crisis.

The King and President Erdogan discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, and the main challenges facing countries in the region. The two leaders stressed the importance of continuing coordination in light of the rapid developments in the region.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis, through the Geneva process, that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people; preserves Syria’s unity and territorial integrity; ends the bloodshed, suffering and violence; and allows for the return of refugees.

The two leaders reiterated the need for ceasing hostilities on the ground in order to advance the Geneva process towards a genuine political solution in Syria. They recognised the positive role the Astana meetings have so far played in calming the situation on the ground through the nationwide ceasefire declared on December 30, 2016 and the memorandum on de-escalation signed on May 4, 2017. 

In the same vein, the two leaders also appreciated the success of the Jordanian-US-Russian trilateral talks in establishing a ceasefire in south Syria as a step towards setting up a de-escalation zone. They emphasised that these efforts are made as part of the broader effort to end all hostilities in Syria and reach a political solution that the Syrian people will accept.

His Majesty and His Excellency the Turkish President reaffirmed the need to resolve the core issue of the Middle East — the Palestinian issue. They stressed the importance of launching serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to end the conflict on the basis of the two state solution that allows for the emergence of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and living in peace and security side by side with Israel.

His Majesty King Abdullah and His Excellency President Erdogan said new peace negotiations must have a clear timeline and must be based on established international terms of reference, especially the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which was relaunched by the Arab summit in Amman in March this year and had been endorsed by the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

The two leaders stressed their categorical rejection of any attempts to change the legal and historical status quo in Al Masjed Al Aqsa/Al Haram Al Sharif and all other unilateral Israeli measures that threaten the identity of East Jerusalem. They warned that such measures and attempts would undermine peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The Turkish President also asserted the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and Jordan’s special role in undertaking this responsibility.

His Majesty King Abdullah II also welcomed the efforts of His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as chairman of the OIC, during the recent crisis in Jerusalem.

The two leaders praised the Iraqi government’s efforts and the Iraqi army’s gains against the Daesh terror group.

The two leaders stressed the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq. They voiced support for Iraqi efforts to ensure progress and stability through an all-inclusive political process that guarantees the rights of all components of the Iraqi society.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of continued close cooperation in the face of terrorism, warning against associating it with any religion, and calling for fighting it within a holistic approach that encompasses military, security, cultural and ideological aspects.

His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated their condemnation in the strongest terms of all the cowardly terrorist attacks that targeted Jordan, Turkey and their brotherly peoples.

The two sides stressed the need for a stronger international partnership to counter terrorism and extremism, and to exert more efforts to eliminate the root political, social, and economic causes fuelling this global threat.

President Erdogan reiterated his appreciation for the Jordanian support against the coup attempt in Turkey and for Jordan’s position against FETÖ terror organisation, as well as Jordan’s action against its structures.

 The two leaders asserted the importance of tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect, noting that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail as the basis of international relations. 

 At the conclusion of their talks, His Majesty and His Excellency President Erdogan stressed the importance of maintaining consultations and close cooperation, and continuing to advance and bolster bilateral relations in all aspects.

His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of the Republic of Turkey, expressed his appreciation for his brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the government and people of Jordan for their warm welcome and hospitality, and invited His Majesty King Abdullah II to visit Turkey, in the near future.