Jordanian-Turkish summit tackles bilateral ties, region
AMMAN Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday praised Jordans economic policies and the deep historical ties between the two countries during talks held with His Majesty King Abdullah.
The King held talks with the Turkish president on bilateral ties, the latest regional developments, especially in Syria, and Middle East peace efforts.
During the talks, which were attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania and Guls wife Hayrunissa and then followed by a larger meeting between the two sides, the King underlined the need to move forward with efforts aimed at enhancing Jordanian-Turkish relations in the fields of tourism, energy, transportation and infrastructure, according to a Royal Court statement.
The King also said that the Jordanian-Turkish relationship is an example of the strong ties in the Middle East region that serve the common interests of people of both countries, the statement said.
The Monarch also noted that there is a good opportunity to enhance trading between the two countries, which has reached $900 million. A delegation of Jordanian businessmen are currently visiting Turkey, discussing further economic cooperation opportunities with their Turkish counterparts, the statement said.
The King expressed his admiration of the Turkish economy, describing it as an example of success that has gained global recognition due to its steady progress and formidable and tangible results, according to the statement.
Gul stated that he highly valued Jordans reform endeavour led by His Majesty, commending the Kings insightful vision, wise leadership and his enthusiasm for engaging Jordanians in the decision-making process, the statement said.
The Turkish president also expressed his appreciation for the Kings discussion papers which, he said, are considered a manifesto of the Monarchs reform vision.
It is important that Jordans political reform progresses alongside the Kingdoms security and stability, as this is what distinguishes the Jordanian model, the Turkish president said, praising the fairness and transparency of the countrys January 23 parliamentary elections which, according to the statement, Gul said were well-administered and well-organised.
The Turkish president praised Jordans economic policies, including a shift in the subsidy system that has seen support go to those who deserve it.
Gul added that one of the key reasons behind the success of the Turkish economic experience was adopting a similar policy.
He thanked His Majesty for hosting a delegation of senior Turkish media personnel in Amman before the visit, which resulted in a fruitful discussions of bilateral relations and enhanced prospects of further cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic and cultural sectors.
During the meetings, which were attended by senior officials from both countries, discussions were held on cooperation and collaboration mechanisms on key regional issues, chiefly Syria and the Mideast peace efforts aiming to reach a just and lasting settlement that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, based on the two-state solution.
In a press conference after the meetings, His Majesty said: My discussions with the Turkish president today covered various topics, and were largely fruitful. My visit to Turkey comes at a crucial time for the Middle East.
His Majesty stressed that, in spite of the common challenges both Jordan and Turkey are facing due to the constant struggles in the region, there are opportunities for cooperation.
With these challenges, there are opportunities. One of the most important reasons for my visit to Turkey is to develop bilateral relations and benefit from the features that brings us all together, especially the free trade agreement between the two countries.
The King said that his visit also focused on cooperation in various strategic sectors which we work to strengthen, especially trade, IT, tourism, industry, energy and water.
Shared concerns over the region
On regional issues, His Majesty emphasised that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains the main cause of instability in the area, renewing his call on the international community to multiply its efforts to relaunch Mideast negotiations as soon as possible, based on the two-state solution, which is the sole path to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution.
King Abdullah voiced concern over the threats facing Jerusalem and its holy places, stressing Jordans determination to continue protecting the identity of the holy city and its Islamic and Christian shrines.
He commended Turkeys support in this regard.
On Syria, the King said that the two countries agreed on the urgent need to forge a comprehensive political solution that brings an end to the bloodshed in the Arab country and ensures that it remains united both demographically and geographically. He warned against continued sectarian clashes and their consequences on Syria and the region as a whole.
For his part, Gul underlined the deep and historical ties between Jordan and Turkey, adding that Ankara is keen on taking such relations to the next level.
He remarked that a delegation of Jordanian businessmen was to meet on the sidelines of the visit with Turkish peers to discuss the prospects of developing cooperation between the private sector in both countries.
Gul, who last visited Jordan in 2009, also underlined the shared responsibility of hosting Syrian refugees in both Jordan and Turkey, where their numbers have exceeded 180,000, while in the figure is much higher in the Kingdom.
Also present at the wide-ranging talks were Lower House Speaker Saad Hayel Srour, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Kings Office Director Imad Fakhoury and Jordans Ambassador in Ankara Amjad Adaileh.
From the Turkish side, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu attended the talks.
An official ceremony was held to receive His Majesty at the presidential palace.
In remarks over a dinner banquet held by president Gul, His Majesty reiterated his satisfaction with the level of ties between Amman and Ankara and the collaboration on facing the common challenges faced by the two countries.
Gul echoed similar remarks, adding that the two sides see eye to eye on the need to reach a peaceful settlement to the Middle East conflict.
Also on Tuesday, the King paid a visit to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, where he discussed with its speaker, Cemil Cicek, and members means to enhance parliamentary cooperation between the two countries as well as a number of issues of mutual concern.
During the meeting, which was attended by Srour, the King voiced Jordans keenness on improving its ties with Turkey and exchanging expertise in the legislative field, the Royal Court statement said.
For his part, Cicek expressed the assemblys keenness on improving its relations with the Jordanian Parliament taking into consideration the strong cultural and historic ties between the two countries.
The King reviewed Jordans reform efforts in all spheres, noting that the recently held parliamentary elections have been a basic step towards reform and centred around boosting public participation in the decision-making process and building a better future for all Jordanians, the statement said.
Also during the meeting, which continued over a lunch banquet, the King and the accompanying delegation listened to a briefing about the Turkish legislature, according to the statement.
Several regional issues were also discussed during the meeting, mainly efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East that ensures the Palestinians legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution and the international resolutions, the statement said.
The King also underlined the importance of preserving the identity of Jerusalem and safeguarding its Islamic and Christian holy sites against Israeli threats, emphasising Jordans historical responsibility in this regard, the statement said.
On the situation in Syria, the King and Cicek reviewed the challenges facing Jordan and Turkey as neighbouring countries of Syria, mainly the influx of Syrian refugees, the statement said.
Well done
