Jordanian King to visit Turkey for talks on ties, middle east

Jordan's King Abdullah II Ibn al Hussein is scheduled to begin on Tuesday an official visit to Ankara for talks on the Middle East and bilateral cooperation. During the king's two-day visit, taking place at the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul, all aspects of bilateral relations between Turkey and Jordan will be discussed, especially political and economic ties, a statement released from the presidency said on Monday. “The main subjects for discussion will be measures to increase the bilateral trade volume and the level of bilateral investment. Also, there will be an exchange on current regional and international issues,” the statement said. King Abdullah II's visit will reciprocate one made by Gul to Jordan on Dec. 1-3, 2009. After his official talks, the king is also set to meet with representatives of Turkish business circles on Wednesday during a working breakfast organized in honor of his visit by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB). The same day, he will also make visit a number of defense facilities. “During a period in which critical developments are taking place in our region, the visit of King Abdullah II will consolidate the cooperation between two key regional countries, Turkey and Jordan,” the statement also mentioned. In a statement released by the Foreign Ministry after parliamentary elections in Jordan at the end of January, Turkey welcomed the orderly completion of the Jordanian elections in an environment of peace. The statement also said the new parliament's contributions are of the utmost importance for economic and political reform in Jordan and that Turkey is ready to support the country to that end.