His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday held talks with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that focused on bilateral ties and the latest regional developments.

During the meeting, King Abdullah voiced Jordan’s keenness on enhancing its relations with Australia in all fields, especially in trade and tourism, underlining in this regard that, by virtue of its distinctive geographical location, the Kingdom can serve as a gateway to the entire region.

His Majesty highlighted Australia’s pivotal role in serving peace efforts in the Middle East, citing its non-permanent membership in the Security Council.

The King also stressed the need for a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis that safeguards its territorial unity and ends the suffering of its people, outlining the burdens Jordan shoulders as a result of hosting more Syrian refugees.

On peace efforts, His Majesty stressed the international community’s continuous support to the US-sponsored Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations on the basis of the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative that can ultimately lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

For her part, Bishop voiced her country’s keenness on bolstering its ties with Jordan in all fields, expressing Australia’s willingness to assist Jordan in its humanitarian efforts to the Syrian refugees.

She also commended Jordan’s role in achieving peace and stability in the region.

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister and Expatriates Affairs Nasser Judeh, Director of His Majesty’s Office Imad Fakhoury as well as Bishop’s accompanying delegation.