Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - King Abdullah II on Tuesday held talks with Austrian President Heins Fischer on ways to cement the Jordanian-Austrian relations in various fields and political developments in the Middle East, mainly efforts to achieve peace between the Palestinians and Israel, and the Syrian crisis.

The King said Jordan is keen on forging stronger ties with Austria within the framework of the Kingdom's strategic partnership with the EU and maintaining consultation between the two countries in economic, trade and other fields.

King Abdullah, in this context, pointed to such sectors as investment, energy, water, transport and tourism in addition to future prospects for cooperation with the Greater Amman Municipality "in a manner that benefits the two friendly countries." The two sides agreed during the talks on the importance of commercial, tourism and investment sectors in boosting economic ties, increasing Jordanian exports to Austria and opening broader scope for Austrian investment in the Kingdom as a gateway to regional markets.

His Majesty said the Jordanian-EU Association Agreement provides opportunities and privileges that can be built on to increase bilateral cooperation, urging the business community in the two countries to exploit them and capitalize on their partnership "in a way that reflects on the volume of investment and trade exchange." The King reviewed the investment privileges and competitiveness that Jordan's economy enjoys in addition to the country's strategic location as a gateway to access markets in the three continents Asia, Europe and Africa and also referred to a number of free trade agreements that Jordan had signed with world nations.

He also noted Jordan's security and stability and its skilled manpower that qualify it to be a destination and incubator of mega ventures.

The talks, held over a working lunch attended by senior officials from the two countries, also tackled the US-brokered Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's support of the peace negotiations based on the two-state solution, international legitimacy resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative to set up an independent and viable Palestinian state as per June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On Syria, the King emphasised a comprehensive political solution to end the suffering of the Syrian people, noting in this regard the burdens Jordan bears for hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees.

Welcoming the King, Fischer said Austria is interested in developing and expanding ties with Jordan, especially in the economic and investment fields. He said his country recognised the efforts exerted by His Majesty for peace in the Middle East and to resolve regional crises.

He also noted that despite its limited resources, Jordan had received Syrian refugees and provided basic humanitarian services to them.

King Abdullah was accorded an official reception upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Vienna.

*Petra