King Abdullah II held a meeting in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, on Tuesday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during which they discussed the strong and extended friendship between the two countries and the overall developments regionally and internationally.

In statements at the beginning of the meeting, which was held at Akasaka Palace, the King expressed his condolences on the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, praising his role in building bridges of cooperation and coordination with Jordan and the region.

He stressed the keenness to build on the efforts of the late former Prime Minister to continue expanding cooperation and partnership between Jordan and Japan in all fields, stressing that Jordan is an ally and friend of Japan and its people.

In turn, the Japanese Prime Minister affirmed, at the beginning of the meeting, his country’s aspiration to strengthen the partnership with Jordan, recalling the former Prime Minister’s keenness to consolidate relations with Jordan as an axis of stability in the Middle East, stressing the importance of building on these efforts.

Prime Minister Kishida referred to the close relations between the imperial family in Japan and the royal family in Jordan, expressing his thanks to the King for his visit to Tokyo to participate in the official funeral of former Prime Minister Abe.

During the meeting, which was attended by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the King’s chief advisor for religious and cultural affairs, the King expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support for Jordan in many development programs.

It was stressed the need to maintain coordination and consultation on various issues of common concern, in a way that achieves the interests of the two friendly countries and peoples, and enhances global peace and security.

He reiterated the importance of intensifying international efforts to reach political solutions to the crises in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian issue.

The King stressed the necessity of re-activating the peace process on the basis of the two-state solution, praising Japan’s supportive stance for peace efforts.

The meeting was attended by the Director of His Majesty’s Office, Jaafar Hassan, and Jordanian Ambassador to Tokyo Lina Annab.

The King is visiting Japan to participate in the official funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which will be held in Tokyo today, in the presence of leaders and officials from various countries of the world.

(Petra)