King meets US secretary of state over ties, Mideast

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

Discussions covered the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, as well as a number of regional and international issues, according to a Royal Court statement.

The meeting covered developments in the peace process, with King Abdullah stressing the importance of relaunching Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

Discussions also addressed the crisis facing UNRWA. His Majesty affirmed the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities.

The world, he said, should provide the necessary support to sustain the UN agency’s educational, health, and relief services to over 5 million Palestinians registered with the UN as refugees.

Moreover, the meeting tackled the Syrian crisis and the importance of supporting efforts to reach a political solution that maintains Syria’s unity, in addition to regional and international efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, and Jordan’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Dina Kawar attended the meeting.

Also on Sunday, His Majesty met with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, as part of ongoing coordination between the two countries over various regional issues.

Discussions focused on the “strong brotherly and historical ties between Jordan and the UAE, and keenness to expand cooperation at all levels and in all areas,” the Royal Court said.

King Abdullah voiced appreciation for the UAE’s ongoing support, led by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.