His Majesty King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday renewed their commitment to continued coordination on regional developments and issues of mutual concern, particularly the peace process.

Meeting with Abbas here, King Abdullah reiterated Jordan’s support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights and establish an independent state on Palestinian soil within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King outlined recent diplomatic efforts, including his recent meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, aimed at garnering support for the Palestinian Authority as it pursues peace that leads to the establishment of the envisaged Palestinian state.

King Abdullah said that, despite the events taking place in several Arab countries, the Palestinian issue remains front and centre and a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should address all final status issues including refugees and Jerusalem.

The King reiterated Jordan’s support for efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation as a prelude to genuine national unity.

On his part, Abbas voiced his appreciation for King Abdullah’s “endless support” for the Palestinians, in addition to his efforts to free tax revenues belonging to the Palestinian Authority that were withheld by Israel.

Discussions, which continued over a lunch banquet held by the King in honour of Abbas and the accompanying delegation, also focused on the latest political developments in the region.

In a press statement issued by the Palestinian President following the meeting with the King, Abbas said his visit came as a continuation of discussions that started when King Abdullah visited Ramallah last month.

He added that talks during Thursday’s meeting also focused on King Abdullah’s scheduled visit to the US.

The two leaders discussed bilateral ties, according to Abbas, who stressed his willingness to continue embarking on the “Corridor for Peace” project on the Jordan River. The corridor was initiated to encourage projects that promote regional prosperity and enhance the situation of Palestinian businesses and companies.

He denied that there was any European initiative to push the peace process forward, noting that “only efforts by Jordan are being exerted towards that end”.