King holds talks with UK, New Zealand PMs in New York

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, met on Monday in New York with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Discussions, attended by HRH Prince Ghazi, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, covered the strategic and deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the United Kingdom, and the latest regional developments, a Royal Court statement said.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Leaders Dialogue: Strategic Responses to Terrorist and Violent Extremist Narratives, addressed the importance to expand cooperation in various fields and maintain coordination and consultation between the two countries on various issues of mutual concern.

King Abdullah expressed appreciation for the UK’s continued support to Jordan, according to the statement.

Turning to the Palestinian cause, His Majesty reiterated that the two-state solution is the only means of resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh attended the meeting.

Also on Monday, His Majesty, accompanied by the Crown Prince, met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to discuss ways to bolster cooperation between Jordan and New Zealand in various areas, as well as regional developments.

At the meeting, also attended by Prince Ghazi, discussions covered the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation, especially on fighting terrorism within a holistic approach.

The meeting, attended by Khasawneh, also covered Jordan’s efforts to fight terrorism and extremism, including the Aqaba Process meetings, the statement added.

For her part, Prime Minister Ardern expressed her country's appreciation for Jordan's role in pursuing peace and stability in the region and the world, as well as the Kingdom’s efforts to combat terrorism and its dark ideology.