King holds talks with Qatar emir in Doha

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday held talks with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, covering the deep-rooted bilateral relations and the latest regional and international developments.

King Abdullah and Sheikh Tamim reaffirmed the distinguished ties between the two countries and peoples, and keenness to bolster them across the political, economic, investment, development, and cultural fields, while also increasing employment opportunities for Jordanians in Qatar, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty thanked Sheikh Tamim for the warm welcome, noting that this visit sends an important message to the two peoples.

For his part, Sheikh Tamim welcomed the King, stressing the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.

Discussions at the expanded talks, which were followed by a bilateral meeting, covered the need to continue coordination and consultation on various issues of mutual concern, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause.

During the talks, attended by HRH Prince Ali, His Majesty reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause, and the importance of stepping up efforts towards reaching just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King stressed the importance of ramping up efforts to reach this solution, as the only means of achieving security, stability and lasting peace in the region, noting that Jordan will continue all efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The talks also addressed developments in Syria, with His Majesty reiterating Jordan’s support for efforts to safeguard Syria’s sovereignty, stability, territorial integrity and the unity of its people.

Moreover, discussions covered efforts to reach political solutions to regional crises.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Qatar Zeid Al Louzi attended the meeting on the Jordanian side.

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid Bin Khalifa Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, a number of senior Qatari officials, and Qatar’s Ambassador to Jordan Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani attended the meeting on the Qatari side.

On the sidelines of the visit, an agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders, and a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Investment Authority and the Jordan Government Investments Management Company were signed.