Jordan, S. Arabia establish joint coordination council

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Wednesday in Riyadh held talks that focused on the latest regional developments and means to deal with them in a way that enhances the region's security and stability and serves the best interests of the two kingdoms.

The two leaders also discussed the "deep-rooted" bilateral ties and ways to enhance them, according to a Royal Court statement.

Following is an unofficial translation of a joint statement that was issued after the talks:

“Based on the deep-rooted relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his brother His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on Wednesday 20/7/1437 Hijri, corresponding to April 27, 2016, paid a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Both sides held a meeting that addressed events and developments in the regional and international arenas. They also discussed cooperation prospects between both countries and ways to enhance them.

Based on what was agreed upon — in light of what was included in the joint statement issued on Monday 4/7/1437 Hijri, corresponding to April 11, 2016 — during the visit of HRH Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy of the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, responding to a kind invitation by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, 

And upon directives by the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his brother His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and upon the two countries’ willingness to boost bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields, minutes were signed in Riyadh on Wednesday 20/7/1437 Hijri calendar, corresponding to April 27, 2016 to establish a Saudi-Jordanian coordination council; the Saudi side of the council will be headed by HRH Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy of the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, whereas the Jordanian side will be headed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour.

The council is aimed at developing and deepening strategic relations between the two countries in the fields referred to in the joint statement issued [in Aqaba] on 4/7/1437 Hijri, corresponding to April 11, 2016. Its mission also entails holding political consultation and coordination on bilateral, regional and international issues and enhancing existing cooperation between the two countries in all fields in a way that achieves the aspirations of both leaders and peoples.

The council will hold its meetings regularly by rotation between the two countries, as stated in the minutes of meeting during which the council was established.

His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, voiced his gratitude and appreciation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines for the good reception and hospitality he and his accompanying delegation received in their second homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar Madani signed the minutes on behalf of the Jordanian and Saudi sides respectively.

King Abdullah and King Salman, during an expanded meeting in the presence of high-ranking officials from both countries, expressed their keenness to boost Jordanian-Saudi relations in all fields in a way that serves the interests of both countries and peoples, the Royal Court statement added.

The two leaders also stressed that cooperation between the two kingdoms is “strategic and essential”, and that Jordan and Saudi Arabia have similar concerns and share the same challenges facing their security.

At the end of the talks, His Majesty invited King Salman to visit Jordan. 

King Salman hosted a dinner banquet in honour of King Abdullah and the accompanying delegation, and was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries.

The Monarch returned home later in the day.