Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - King Abdullah II and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a bilateral meeting at Merdeka Palace here on Wednesday to discuss efforts to step up bilateral relations between both countries The Antara News published on Wednesday.

President Yudhoyono greeted King Abdullah II, who arrived at the palace at 11 a.m., and then immediately proceeded with the bilateral meeting in the Jepara Room.

President Yudhoyono was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, Trade Minister Luthfi Hidayat, Culture and Education Minister Muhammad Nuh, Indonesian Ambassador to Jordan Teguh Wardoyo, and presidential special staff for international relations Teuku Faizasyah.

King Abdullah II was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad and a number of Jordanian officials.

At noon, the head of state hosted a luncheon for King Abdullah II, who was on his second visit to Indonesia after the first one in October 2005.

After the bilateral meeting, Teuku Faizasyah stated that the matters discussed during the meeting were related to the development of both the countries cooperation in various fields, including economy and defense.

Indonesia is historically and culturally close to the Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan, he noted.

Jordan and Indonesia established diplomatic ties in 1950 and since then the relations have been progressing well. It is believed that both countries still have a lot of opportunities to explore through bilateral cooperation.

"The second visit of the Jordanian King reflects the serious commitment to strengthening the bilateral relations that have been developing soundly so far," he explained.