Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) His Majesty King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, on Sunday, received French President Francois Hollande and Ms. Valérie Trierweiler.

In a welcoming speech after a session he held with President Hollande, His Majesty the King expressed pride in the level of strategic partnership and relations between the two friendly countries.

The King referred to the volume of French investments and cooperation between both the public and private sectors in both countries.

His Majesty pointed out to the reform program implemented by the Jordan at various levels, stressing that reform is continuing despite the many challenges facing the region.

King Abdullah added that he discussed with President Hollande the major challenges facing the region, saying: " We share the views about the Syrian crisis." He said that Jordan is looking for the international community to respond to France's call to support Jordan which has received a massive influx of Syrian refugees on its territory in a time when it is suffering from a swelling budget deficit and major economic problems.

The King asserted that both Jordan and France "believe that the longer the conflict in Syria takes, it will have gross repercussions and consequences on the long run, so we both strive to reach a comprehensive political transition in Syria that includes everyone," warning that "the continuation of the Syrian crisis will increase the possibility of collapse there." Hosting more than half a million refugees puts enormous pressure on basic services, particularly in areas north of the kingdom," the King said, haling France's support since the beginning of the crisis which deployed a military hospital in the Zaatari Syrian refugees camp.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, King Abdullah said that this conflict "remains the core of instability in the region," referring to efforts by the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to bring the Palestinian and Israeli sides together to resume the peace process.

His Majesty warned of Israeli settlement policies and violations taking place in the city of Jerusalem, "which must be brought to an end, and must be stopped in order to give an opportunity to achieve peace, especially at this time."

President Hollande commended Jordanian-French relations and said French investments come second after Arab ventures in Jordan "because we believe in your country, and we know your efforts, and what policies you are implementing."

On Syria, the French president voiced his country's appreciation of Jordan's efforts to find a political solution to the crisis, as well as the Kingdom's role in helping solve the problem of Syrian refugees, saying: "we have to help Jordan to overcome this problem."

He expressed the hope that there will be cooperation between countries concerned with the affairs of refugees, especially the U.S., Britain and France as well as Arab countries, and said he was "ready to cooperate with any initiative to be launched in this regard."

Hollande stressed that France and Jordan see eye-to-eye on the Syrian crisis, and said "the Syrian opposition needs support and help, but it is required to clarify its relationship with extremist organizations and this clarification is a prerequisite for assistance."

On the Palestinian cause, Hollande said the two-state solution is the only way to resolve the Palestinian issue, adding: "We have the same position, we support a two-state solution, and we want to move in this direction."

The two leaders stressed keenness to strengthen and develop cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in areas of energy, investment and technology.