His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with Japanese Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya and discussed prospects to expand military cooperation between Jordan and Japan.

Discussions covered the regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach.

King Abdullah noted the cooperation and coordination between the two countries in this field. Jordan and Japan co-chaired a round of the Aqaba Meetings in April this year to discuss security challenges in Southeast Asia.

Discussions also addressed a number of regional concerns, especially the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

His Majesty noted that the Palestinian cause is the region’s central issue, which requires stepping up international efforts to relaunch negotiations on the basis of the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King also commended Japan’s constructive role in the Middle East, as well as its efforts to seek security and stability in the region.

Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces, and Japan’s Ambassador to Jordan Hidenao Yanagi attended the meeting.