Saudi Arabia renews support for Jordan

His Majesty King Abdullah and Saudi King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz on Sunday held talks on bilateral ties, the latest developments in the Middle East as well as several issues of mutual concern. During the meeting in Jeddah, the two leaders stressed their keenness to continue coordination between officials in both countries and enhance cooperation in political and economic fields, a Royal Court statement said. The two leaders voiced satisfaction over the current level of bilateral relations, which, they said, reflects positively on the interests of the two countries and peoples. The Saudi leader renewed his country’s support for Jordan at all levels. The King voiced appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s support to the Kingdom, citing the Saudi monarch’s efforts to secure Jordan’s accession to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The King stressed that Jordan’s membership in the GCC will strengthen historical ties and commonalities, as well as cooperation between Jordan and the Gulf countries, according to the statement. The Monarch also thanked the Saudi king for his support to Jordan’s efforts to overcome economic challenges facing the country. Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Arab and regional arenas and the current political situations in several Arab countries. The two agreed to continue consultation and coordination, in a manner that serves the security and stability in the region and enhances Arab joint action in the face of the various challenges. The talks were attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh, General Intelligence Department Director Lt. Gen. Mohammad Raqqad, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jamal Shamayleh. Several royal family members attended the talks on the Saudi side. Upon arrival at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah yesterday, His Majesty was welcomed by Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Nayef Ben Abdul Aziz, and a number of high-ranking Saudi officials. The Royal Court also announced that His Majesty will head to the US this week to take part in the Sun Valley economic forum in Idaho, which will bring together political, economic and intellectual figures from across the globe, the statement said.