His Majesty King Abdullah held talks on Monday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that covered ways to strengthen cooperation in all fields and addressed the latest developments in the region.

During bilateral talks followed by an expanded meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace attended by senior officials from both countries, the two sides stressed the importance of continuing consultations and coordination on issues of mutual concern, and expanding economic and investment cooperation.

In remarks at the expanded meeting, King Abdullah welcomed the Turkish president in his second home.

His Majesty thanked Erdoğan for the strong positions he has taken on the challenges involving Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and Jerusalem, and his support for Jordan in the face of challenges.

The King said he exchanged views with the Turkish president on a number of issues of mutual concern, noting the historical relationship between Jordan and Turkey as they mark the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Discussions will continue, His Majesty said, on how to improve the political, economic, military, defence and social ties between the two countries, highlighting the various opportunities in these fields. 

Jordan and Turkey have both been affected by terrorism and extremism, the King noted, stressing that this is another opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two peoples.

His Majesty said the two countries will continue facing the challenges ahead, shoulder to shoulder, and will be able to overcome all the obstacles.

For his part, Erdoğan said he returns to Jordan nine years after his last visit, expressing appreciation for the warm welcome and the invitation from His Majesty.

Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Turkey, the president said this year marks their 70th anniversary.

He thanked Jordanians for their solidarity with Turkey on the night of 14 July 2016, when a coup attempt was foiled. Turkey and its people, the president stressed, will always be there for Jordan.

Erdoğan added that Ankara will continue to support Jordan’s role in safeguarding holy sites in Jerusalem, and will continue to work with the Kingdom to prevent the recurrence of the violations that took place in Al Aqsa Mosque last month.

The Muslim world and the region are going through a delicate phase, he noted, stressing that all Muslims must stand together during this time, which will decide the future.

He called for bolstering cooperation and consultations, stressing that Monday’s talks will be greatly beneficial.

His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammed, chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy to His Majesty; Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh; Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi; General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi; Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan; and Adviser to His Majesty and National Policies Council Rapporteur Abdullah Wreikat attended the meeting.

Water Minister Hazem Nasser; Minister of State for Legal Affairs Bisher Khasawneh: Transport Minister Jamil Mujahed; Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh; Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh; and Jordan’s Ambassador to Turkey Amjad Adaileh were also in attendance.

On the Turkish sides, attendees included Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu; Energy Minister Berat Albayrak; Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ahmet Arslan; Turkey’s Ambassador to Jordan Murat Karagöz; and National Intelligence Organisation Director Hakan Fidan.

His Majesty hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the Turkish president and the accompanying delegation that was attended by senior officials from the two countries.

At the conclusion of the talks, a joint communique was issued by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Turkey.

The communique said Jordan and Turkey emphasised the importance of solidifying their economic ties, calling for increased cooperation between officials and among the private sectors in both countries.

The King and the Turkish president expressed satisfaction with the growing level of defence and security cooperation, the communique added.

The two leaders stressed the need for the international community to step up its support for Syria’s neighbouring countries to help them cope with the pressures of the refugee crisis, it said.

The communique said the two sides agreed on the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis, and reaffirmed the need to resolve the Palestinian issue, which is the region’s core issue.

The two leaders also stressed their categorical rejection of any attempts to change the legal and historical status quo in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and all other unilateral Israeli measures that threaten the identity of East Jerusalem, according to the communique.

The two sides also praised the Iraqi government’s efforts and the Iraqi army’s gains against the Daesh terror group, and reaffirmed the importance of continued close cooperation in the face of terrorism to fight it within a holistic approach.