Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Sunday met with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, and discussed with her cooperation and relations between Jordan and the bloc as well as the overall developments in the Middle East, especially the Syrian crisis and its repercussions.

His Majesty stressed Jordanian-EU ties and partnership and voiced keenness to boost them in various domains. He hailed the EU's support to the Kingdom to enable it press ahead with the reform and development programs.

King Abdullah highlighted the overall reform process pursued by Jordan on political, economic and social levels to boost the democratic march and expand the base of participation in decision-making.

King Abdullah and Ashton tackled efforts to break the deadlock in the peace process to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establish an independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders in accordance to the two-state solution.

He underlined the EU's important role in supporting these efforts and exploiting opportunities to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

While emphasizing the centrality of the Palestinian issue, the King warned that Israel's continued settlement policy and repeated attacks on Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem undermine efforts to achieve peace.

On Syria, King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's position in support of a political, transitional and comprehensive solution to the crisis to stop bloodletting, preserve the unity of Syria's land and people, and fend off the serious repercussions of the crisis on the whole region.

In this context, the King said Jordan bears massive burdens due to hosting a rising influx of Syrian refugees, valuing the EU's support in this area, which should commensurate with the size of these burdens.

Ashton hailed the Kingdom's reform drive led by His Majesty the King and his endeavors to achieve peace in the region, stressing that the European Union will continue to coordinate with Jordan to strengthen relations, partnership and cooperation, address various challenges in the region and establish security and stability.

The EU foreign policy chief commended relief services provided by Jordan to the Syrian refugees and stressed the EU's commitment to providing support and assistance to the Kingdom to enable it to continue offering humanitarian services to the refugees.