Jordan, Norway pledge to boost economic, trade, security partnerships

AMMAN - Jordan'sJordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his visiting Norwegian counterpart Anniken Huitfeldt pledged on Monday to expand bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The two ministers discussed ways to advance economic, trade, tourism, environmental protection, and food security related partnerships, in addition to defense cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, at a meeting in the Jordanian capital city, according to a statement from the Jordanian Foreign MinistryJordanian Foreign Ministry.

Talks also went over regional developments, including the Syrian crisis, the Palestinian cause, the Syrian crisis, support for Iraq, efforts in regional security and stability, as well as the repercussions of the Ukrainian crisis.

At a joint press conference, Safadi praised the clear position taken by the Norwegian side in support of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Palestinian economy, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

He said the Norwegian minister was familiar with Jordan's efforts to resume the serious and effective peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis that push for a two-state solution.

For her part, Huitfeldt said that the two countries have solid and diverse bilateral ties and acknowledged that Jordan plays a major stabilizing role in the region.

King Abdullah II of Jordan received the Norwegian minister on Monday and discussed regional issues and bilateral relations and ways to bolster cooperation in investment, renewable energy, and climate change, according to a Royal Court statement.