King Starts an Official Tour to Europe and the US

Amman
25 July 2002

Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah left Amman on Thursday on a working tour that will include France, Britain and the United States.

His Majesty will stop in Geneva today where he will be meeting with Saudi Monarch King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nhayan.

His Majesty will also discuss with French President Jacque Chirac, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush efforts being exerted by the international community to push the Middle East peace forward.

The King will affirm during his talks with the three leaders the importance of crystallizing a specific and clear practical plan for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in three years and end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

His Majesty will also meet during his visit to the US with representatives of a number of economic and financial institutions as well as Information technology companies. He is also expected to deliver a speech in a meeting that will be organized by the US Fortune magazine in the city of Aspen in the presence of senior US politicians.

The King was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Hashem Bin Al Hussein, Royal Court chief, His Majesty's Advisor for security affairs, head of the Intelligence Department and the foreign minister.

His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah Bin Al Hussein was sworn as regent in the presence of cabinet ministers.