Jordan has always held a strong position on the Cyprus issue, King of Jordan Abdullah II has said, reassuring the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades that “you will always get a strong position from us.”
The King of Jordan, who paid Cyprus a short visit, held a tete a tete meeting at the Presidential Palace with President Anastasiades, followed by a working lunch attended also by the members of the delegations of the two countries.
The Jordanian delegation comprised the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials and the Cypriot delegation comprised the Ministers of Energy and Defense, the Government Spokesman and other officials.
Speaking at the working lunch and referring to the Cyprus problem, the King of Jordan said that “we have had a strong position historically on the Cyprus issue and you will always get a strong position from us.”
The Cypriot President thanked the King of Jordan for his country`s firm positions on the Cyprus issue and referred to the strong historical ties between the two states.
The King of Jordan said that he is `very proud of the wonderful relations that have existed for years between our two nations but have grown over the years and even more so in this very short period of time, especially since the last time we met.”
King Abdullah II also noted the relationship and the friendship that he has developed with the President, pointing out the “tremendous support to Jordan” in facing challenges.
“Your strong voice and of Cyprus with the challenges that we are facing, the challenges of the refugees, your support has been greatly appreciated by myself and the Government and the people of Jordan” he said.
“We are very encouraged with obviously the increase of economic cooperation between our two countries,” the King added, pointing out that the presence of the Embassy in Nicosia is a testament to these relations.
What binds our two countries together at this stage, he noted, is the challenges of the region, the turmoil which brings us shoulder to shoulder in a way that I think will strengthen Jordan and Cyprus for generations to come.
He also noted the close cooperation between the two governments, underlining that “we have a strong partner in Cyprus.”
King Abdullah II praised the role Cyprus has be playing in the region, and said that “Cyprus also plays a very important part in being a strong voice for reconciliation in the Israeli-Palestinian issue. We appreciate your country’s role.”
In concluding, the King of Jordan said that there are “regional projects that we are interested in developing with your colleagues,” noting the cooperation of the two countries in fields such as tourism and on the level of people to people contacts.
In his remarks at the lunch, President Anastasiades told King Abdullah that “your visit, following the one I recently paid in Jordan, marks another crucial milestone in our bilateral relationship and creates a strong momentum for further deepening our cooperation”.
Over the past years, Cyprus and Jordan have been writing a new chapter in the history of their relations, he added.
President Anastasiades said that the recent opening of the Jordanian Embassy in Cyprus will contribute positively towards this goal.
“We are both concerned about the rise of extremism, civil war and terrorism. For this reason, as moderate and like-minded countries, we choose to stand together as focal points of stability in the region. Jordan is a pivotal country in our region. It is a front line state in the struggle against terrorism and has been a victim of terrorist attacks” President said.
Referring to the refugees issue, he said that Jordan continues to provide shelter and adequate living conditions to more than 1.3 million refugees, shouldering a heavy burden for its population, its economy and its security.
“This fact deserves due international merit and recognition” he stressed.
The President pledged that Cyprus, as a partner and friend, will continue to support Jordan, politically, diplomatically and otherwise.
“I also wish to assure you that Cyprus, together with Greece and like-minded EU states, is actively committed to bringing closer the European Union and the Middle East. This cooperation is of tremendous strategic value, as the Middle East is an immediate neighbor of the EU with significant political, economic and cultural exchanges” the President stressed.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, he reiterated his willingness and determination to continue working tirelessly in order to achieve a viable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant Security Council Resolutions and the High Level Agreements.
“In this respect, I wish to express the gratitude of the Republic and the people of Cyprus to the principled stance of Jordan as regards our efforts of reaching a settlement” he said.
Referring to the Middle East Peace Process, President Anastasiades praised Jordan`s efforts as a tireless advocate for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian conflict, supporting the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian State, in line with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, living in peace alongside Israel, as a step towards regional peace and stability.