His Majesty King Abdullah and Federal President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen held talks at Al Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday, on means to expand cooperation, as well as the latest regional and international developments.

During an expanded meeting that followed bilateral talks and was attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Austrian First Lady Doris Schmidauer and senior officials on both sides, discussions addressed ways to increase trade and bolster economic cooperation, particularly in technical education, agriculture, and tourism.

The two sides also affirmed the importance of building partnerships between the public and private sectors of the two countries, with Jordan benefiting from Austrian expertise in technical and vocational training, as well as business incubators.

In addition, talks covered the potential of opening new markets to Jordanian exports, particularly agricultural products.

The two sides stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation over various issues of mutual concern, in the service of global and regional peace, security, and stability.

In remarks at the expanded meeting, King Abdullah said: “On behalf of myself, and Rania and the entire Jordanian government and people, we welcome you to Jordan, and we’re delighted to have you here on your first visit.”

“I’m sure that there is a lot to talk about from the regional challenges,” His Majesty added.

“Our bilateral ties go back almost 60-odd years,” the King said, noting that the two countries see eye to eye.

His Majesty said Jordanian-Austrian political, military, and security ties are outstanding.

“We have good economic ties, but we could always, as most countries could say, try to improve that,” the King noted, citing the Austrian president’s meeting in Amman with Jordanian and Austrian businesspeople as a good example of ways to strengthen economic cooperation.

“I wanted to thank you very much for your country’s support of our refugee challenges, and looking after Jordan, speaking up for us whenever there is a chance in the international community,” His Majesty said.

For his part, President Van der Bellen thanked the King for the warm hospitality.

“We realise, of course, what challenges that Jordan had to deal with… in particular, in the last seven years. And your geographical position is, to say the least, not particularly easy, also concerning the most recent developments, around… your country, so we are full of admiration for what you handled all over those years,” the president said.

He expressed Austria’s keenness to continue to build on its excellent relationship with Jordan.

President Van der Bellen said he was looking forward to visiting the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, noting that he will also visit the Zaatari Refugee Camp.

The talks, which continued over a working lunch attended by Her Majesty and the First Lady as well as senior Jordanian and Austrian officials, covered regional developments and efforts to reach political solutions to various crises.

His Majesty called for stepping up efforts to relaunch serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the two-state solution, and with the aim of establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King noted Austria’s and the European Union’s important role in the pursuit of just and comprehensive peace in the region, as Austria assumes EU presidency in the second half of this year.

Turning to Jerusalem, His Majesty asserted the holy city’s importance for Muslims and Christians, describing it as the key to peace and stability in the region.

Talks also covered UNRWA’s vital role and the importance of maintaining international support to enable the UN agency to continue its educational, health, and relief services to Palestinian refugees.

Discussing the Syrian crisis, the King reaffirmed Jordan’s support for all efforts and initiatives to reach a political solution within the Geneva process, with the aim of achieving security and stability for Syria and its people, while maintaining the country’s territorial integrity.

His Majesty and President Van der Bellen exchanged views on various international issues, and discussed efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Escort of Honour Mohammad Momani, Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Austria Hussam Al Husseini attended the talks on the Jordanian side.

Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl, Austrian Ambassador to Jordan Michael Desser, and the accompanying visiting delegation were in attendance on the Austrian side.

President Van der Bellen and the First Lady had been accorded an official welcoming ceremony at Al Husseiniya Palace, where they were received by Their Majesties.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Austrian president, who is accompanied by a delegation of businesspeople representing various sectors, launched the Austro-Jordanian Economic Forum in Amman, with the participation of business leaders from the two countries.

Discussions at the forum covered investment opportunities and incentives offered by Jordan, as well as the potential to establish partnerships between the private sectors of the two countries.