Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Monday, held talks in Amman on ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all fields as well as latest developments in the Middle East.
The two leaders emphasized, during one-on-one meeting, followed by plenary talks at the Al-Husseiniyah Palace, the importance of continuing consultations and coordination between Jordan and Turkey on various issues of common concern, as well as expanding cooperation in the economic and investment fields.
In a welcoming speech, His Majesty the King said:
My dear brother, Mr. President,
On behalf of myself, the Jordanian delegation, the government of Jordan and the people of Jordan, I truly welcome you here in your second home, and delighted to have your presence back here again.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, my brother, for the very strong positions that he has taken on the challenges of Al Aqsa and Jerusalem, and his very brotherly support of Jordan through the challenges that we’re all facing.
The President and I had an opportunity to exchange views on many issues that deal between our two countries; again reminding ourselves that we have a historical relationship of seventy years, and something of great pride to both our nations.
And, today, we will continue to have bilateral discussions on how to improve the political, economic, military, intelligence and social relations between our two countries, and there are many opportunities in this field. Both countries have suffered from terrorism and extremism, and, again, this is just another opportunity for both my brother and I to strengthen the relationship between our two peoples.
So, Sir, in the warmest regards, I welcome you and your delegation here in Jordan. I know that shoulder to shoulder, as we walk forward with the challenges that we face, we’ll be able to overcome all the obstacles that are ahead of us."
In turn, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said in a welcoming speech: "My dear brother, His Majesty the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, distinguished members of the delegation, we return to Jordan, the brother after 9 years, on behalf of myself and on behalf of members of the Turkish delegation, I extend my sincere thanks for the warm welcome we have received. On behalf of myself and on behalf of my country, I also extend my heartfelt thanks to His Majesty the King for this kind invitation to visit Jordan."
We have historical ties, and this year 2017 is particularly important in the bilateral relations between the two countries, it marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the two countries. I hope that this important anniversary will be an occasion for the good of both our countries.
On behalf of myself and on behalf of my country, I extend my sincere thanks to my Jordanian brothers for their solidarity with us on the night of July 14. As a state and people, we will always be with Jordan.
I am aware that my dear brother (His Majesty the King) attaches great importance to the Palestinian cause, and we will continue to support Jordan's role in protecting Jerusalem's holy sites. We will continue to work together to prevent the reoccurrence of attacks and violations that took place at the Al-Aqsa Mosque last month.
The Muslim world and the region are going through a critical time, and we, as Muslims, have to stand together especially in this critical time in which our future will be determined, by strengthening cooperation and consultation between us, and I believe that the talks, bilateral and expanded, which we will hold today will be very useful. I thank you again."
His Majesty the King held an official luncheon in honor of the Turkish president and the accompanying delegation, attended by top officials from both countries.
A joint communique was issued following talks between His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Amman.
Following is the full text of the communique:
On the 21st of August 2017, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein hosted his brother, His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, on a one-day official visit, during which the two leaders held one to one talks, followed by expanded discussions on means of developing cooperation in various fields, in the service of their brotherly peoples. The two leaders also discussed efforts to advance peace, stability, and progress in the region, as well as latest developments in the Middle East.
Following is the full text of a joint communique was issued following talks between His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Amman:
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Turkey, which marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, share deep-rooted, brotherly ties, built on mutual respect.
The two sides emphasized the importance of solidifying their two countries’ economic ties and discussed ways to increase bilateral trade and investments, calling for increased cooperation between the two countries’ officials to further enhance bilateral ties.
The two leaders encouraged the private sectors in both countries to continue their efforts to boost economic cooperation, explore investment opportunities in various fields and to increase the exchange of visits and expertise.
King Abdullah II and President Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the growing level of defense and security cooperation, noting their shared interest in continued and close coordination in these fields.
With the two countries neighboring Syria and being among the most affected by the repercussions of the crisis there, the discussions covered the Syrian refugee crisis and the huge burdens Jordan and Turkey are shouldering on behalf of the world.
The two leaders stressed the need for the international community to step up and increase its support for neighboring countries to help them cope with the huge and increasing economic, social and security pressures of the refugee crisis.
The King and President Erdogan discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, and the main challenges facing countries in the region. The two leaders stressed the importance of continuing coordination in light of the rapid developments in the region.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis, through the Geneva process, that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people; preserves Syria’s unity and territorial integrity; ends the bloodshed, suffering and violence; and allows for the return of refugees.
The two leaders reiterated the need for ceasing hostilities on the ground in order to advance the Geneva process towards a genuine political solution in Syria. They recognized the positive role the Astana meetings have so far played in calming the situation on the ground through the nationwide ceasefire declared on 30 December 2016 and the memorandum on de-escalation signed on 4 May 2017. In the same vein, the two leaders also appreciated the success of the Jordanian-US-Russian trilateral talks in establishing a ceasefire in south Syria as a step towards setting up a de-escalation zone. They emphasized that these efforts are made as part of the broader effort to end all hostilities in Syria and reach a political solution that the Syrian people will accept.
His Majesty and His Excellency the Turkish President reaffirmed the need to resolve the core issue of the Middle East the Palestinian issue. They stressed the importance of launching serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to end the conflict on the basis of the two state solution that allows for the emergence of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and living in peace and security side by side with Israel.
His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency President Erdogan said new peace negotiations must have a clear timeline and must be based on established international terms of reference, especially the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which was relaunched by the Arab Summit in Amman in March this year and had been endorsed by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The two leaders stressed their categorical rejection of any attempts to change the legal and historical status quo in Al Masjed Al Aqsa /Al Haram Al Sharif and all other unilateral Israeli measures that threaten the identity of East Jerusalem. They warned that such measures and attempts would undermine peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The Turkish President also asserted the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and Jordan’s special role in undertaking this responsibility.
His Majesty King Abdullah II also welcomed the efforts of His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as chairman of the OIC, during the recent crisis in Jerusalem.
The two leaders praised the Iraqi government’s efforts and the Iraqi army’s gains against the Daesh terror group.
The two leaders stressed the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq. They voiced support for Iraqi efforts to ensure progress and stability through an all-inclusive political process that guarantees the rights of all components of the Iraqi society.
The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of continued close cooperation in the face of terrorism, warning against associating it with any religion, and calling for fighting it within a holistic approach that encompasses military, security, cultural and ideological aspects.
His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated their condemnation in the strongest terms of all the cowardly terrorist attacks that targeted Jordan, Turkey and their brotherly peoples.
The two sides stressed the need for a stronger international partnership to counter terrorism and extremism, and to exert more efforts to eliminate the root political, social, and economic causes fuelling this global threat.
President Erdogan reiterated his appreciation for the Jordanian support against the coup attempt in Turkey and for Jordan’s position against FETO terror organization, as well as Jordan’s action against its structures.
The two leaders asserted the importance of tolerance, coexistence and mutual respect, noting that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail as the basis of international relations.
At the conclusion of their talks, His Majesty and His Excellency President Erdogan stressed the importance of maintaining consultations and close cooperation, and continuing to advance and bolster bilateral relations in all aspects.
His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of the Republic of Turkey, expressed his appreciation for his brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the government and people of Jordan for their warm welcome and hospitality, and invited His Majesty King Abdullah II to visit Turkey, in the near future.