Ammon News - MOSCOW His Majesty King Abdullah II held talks on Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on means to promote bilateral economic and investment cooperation as well as the situation in the Middle East, especially efforts to achieve regional peace.

In joint press statements before the meeting, the King stressed the strong Jordanian- Russian ties, expressing desire to strengthen them in various areas.

His Majesty also affirmed the need to intensify efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

King Abdullah warned against the Israeli unilateral actions, especially the construction of settlements and actions that seek to change the identity of Jerusalem.

His Majesty also expressed condemnation of the Israeli decision to build new housing units in East Jerusalem, noting that such actions undermine peace- making efforts and threaten regional stability and prosperity.

The King affirmed the importance of the Russian role, especially in supporting regional peace.

Putin, for his part, noted that talks with King Abdullah will tackle regional issues as well as means to enhance bilateral ties, especially in economic and trade fields.

At the meeting, which included a dinner banquet hosted in honour of the King and the accompanying delegation, His Majesty and Putin discussed means to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in trade and economic areas.

The King and the Russian premier also discussed means to promote partnership between the private sector in both countries and ways to benefit from the Russian expertise in nuclear energy field.

The King is scheduled to meet tomorrow with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for talks on developments in the Middle East, especially efforts to achieve the two- state solution within a comprehensive regional context as well as means to promote bilateral ties in various fields.

//Petra//