His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday received French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and discussed the strategic relations between Jordan and France, as well as regional conditions.

King Abdullah thanked France for supporting development programmes in Jordan, and for assistance in mitigating the large burden on the Kingdom’s economy caused by the Syrian refugee crisis.

The meeting also covered the peace process, with His Majesty affirming the need to step up efforts to relaunch Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The King noted the European Union’s important role in this regard.

Discussions addressed developments in the Syrian crisis and efforts to reach a political solution that restores stability in Syria and enables refugees to return to their homeland.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, and French Ambassador to Jordan David Bertolotti attended the meeting.