His Majesty King Abdullah and British Prime Minister Theresa May held talks at Al Husseiniya Palace on Thursday that addressed the historical ties of friendship between the two countries, as well as the latest regional and international developments.

In remarks to the press before holding bilateral talks, which were followed by expanded talks, King Abdullah welcomed Prime Minister May on her second visit this year to Jordan, thanking her for the attention she gives to the Kingdom and praising the level of coordination between the two countries.

Earlier on Thursday, May had met with Prime Minister Hani Mulki and discussed how the United Kingdom can help Jordan strengthen its economic resilience.

His Majesty thanked the British prime minister for focusing on this matter, also praising the United Kingdom’s efforts in connection with regional political issues.

Jordan and the UK, the King continued, are always working on the same page.

For her part, Prime Minister May said she is delighted to be in Jordan for the second time this year and to discuss how the two countries can take their relationship further.

Noting the long-standing, historical relationship between the UK and Jordan, she said the two countries also have a very good security relationship, and expressed keenness to move into a long-term relationship on the economy and economic development.

The UK, she added, seeks to help Jordan improve the resilience of the economy, which entails supporting job creation and education.

The expanded talks, which continued over a working lunch attended by Prime Minister Mulki and a number of senior officials on both sides, covered means to strengthen the strategic relationship between Jordan and the United Kingdom, with the two sides expressing keenness to expand cooperation in economic, investment, and military-related areas.

The two sides also stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultations on various issues of mutual concern, as well as on urgent regional and global developments, with the aim of boosting security and stability in the region and the world.

Talks covered the burdens shouldered by the Kingdom and the need to follow up on the outcomes of the London donor conference to ensure that donors honour their pledges for host countries, including Jordan.

Donor support will enable Jordan to continue to provide humanitarian and relief services for refugees and will mitigate the impact of the refugee burden on local communities and the national economy, the King said.

His Majesty thanked the United Kingdom for its support for Jordan in this regard.

Moreover, discussions covered regional developments, and the two sides affirmed the importance of reaching political solutions to regional crises, in order to restore security and stability.

The talks touched on efforts to push the peace process forward, and the King urged intensive efforts to relaunch serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Failure to reach a just and lasting solution will expose the region to further tensions and rising extremism and violence, the King added.

His Majesty and Prime Minister May discussed efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic strategy, and they affirmed the need to bolster international and regional cooperation and coordination to fight this global threat.

Discussing the Syrian crisis, the two sides called for building on the Astana talks to reach a political solution in Syria within the Geneva track that safeguards the country’s unity and stability.

Jordan and the United Kingdom also commended the Iraqi government’s efforts to fight terrorism and the army’s gains in the battle against Daesh.

Prime Minister May expressed the UK’s appreciation of Jordan’s efforts, led by the King, in dealing with crises in the Middle East, supporting peace efforts, and bolstering security and stability in the region.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Planning Minister Imad Fakhoury, Trade Minister Yarub Qudah, Minister of State for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK Omar Nahar, British Ambassador in Amman Edward Oakden, and the UK prime minister’s accompanying delegation attended the meeting.