His Majesty King Abdullah and Cypriot President Demetris Christofias on Wednesday agreed on the need to boost bilateral relations, especially economic cooperation.
During a meeting at the Royal offices in Hummar, the two leaders highlighted the opportunities available to develop and strengthen cooperation in commerce, investment, tourism, energy and health, a Royal Court statement said.
They stressed the role of their two countries’ private sectors in boosting economic cooperation by setting up joint investments.
The two leaders also instructed the concerned officials in both countries to pursue coordination and consultation regarding cooperation prospects in the various fields.
Earlier on Wednesday, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania received Christofias and his wife, who arrived on a three-day state visit to the Kingdom, in an official ceremony.
During the visit, Jordan and Cyprus will sign three agreements on renewable energy, maritime activity and health.
They will also sign two memoranda of understanding on cooperation between their chambers of industry and commerce and their financial markets.
Talks also addressed means to boost cooperation between Jordan and the European Union as Cyprus has been an EU member since 2004, and assumed the union’s rotating presidency on July 1.
The King said Jordan will work to strengthen its cooperation and strategic partnership with the EU through the Union for the Mediterranean and within the framework of the country’s relations with the EU countries.
Talks also addressed developments related to the Syrian crisis and the Middle East peace process.
The Cypriot president commended Jordan’s reform efforts, describing the Kingdom as a regional model of modernisation and development.
Christofias also commended the King’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.
He also expressed Cyprus’ commitment to boost its cooperation with the Kingdom, pointing out that the two countries have so much in common in terms of interests and challenges.
Later on Wednesday, the King and Queen held a dinner banquet in honour of the Cypriot president and his wife.
In a statement to Jordan Television, Minister of Industry and Trade Shabib Ammari said the Cypriot president’s visit was significant in political terms as Cyprus heads the EU Council and in terms of commerce and investment to further develop outstanding relations in these areas.
“We hope… that there will be more visits between the two countries’ private sectors to explore opportunities available, especially in the Kingdom,” the minister said.
Representatives from the two countries will hold a joint forum on Thursday to discuss ways to bolster relations, mainly in the fields of economy, commerce and energy.
Cyprus Government Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou said this was the first visit by the Cypriot president to Jordan, expecting the visit to play a significant role in boosting bilateral relations.
In 2011, Jordan’s exports to Cyprus were around $1 million, whereas its imports from the country stood at $7.6 million. During the first half of this year, Jordan’s exports to Cyprus totalled $220,000 while its imports totalled $4.7 million.
