His Majesty King Abdullah II on Friday returned home following a three day tour in eastern Europe that included Poland and the Russian Federation.

During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and in a speech on granting him the honorary doctorate from International Relations Institute (IRI) in Moscow, His Majesty expressed strong condemnation to terrorism. He stressed that Islam is a religion of tolerance and dialogue, and that extremists will not silence the real voice of Islam in the world.

During his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, His Majesty stressed the importance of signing a free trade agreement between the two countries. He pointed out that Jordan has similar agreements with USA and the European Union and some Arab counties.

In Poland His Majesty stressed development of economic relations between the two countries. The King attended signing agreements between the Jordanian Ministry of tourism and the Polish Ministry of Economy and Work, in addition to signing executive cooperation program between the two governments for 2004-2006.

His Majesty attended the meeting between Jordanian and Russian bussinessmen where they signed an agreement on establishing a tourist resort and a five star hotel on the Dead Sea coast.

During his meeting with Russian Businessmen, His Majesty stressed that he looks forward to further cement their relations with Jordan to be in harmony with the strong political relations the two countries enjoy.

His Majesty reaffirmed commitment to go on in reform in all fields. Jordan has made wide strides in action rather than in words, where it managed to increase economic growth in the first half of this year to 7,2 per cent, and managed to increase the volume of exports, he pointed out.

The Russian side expressed interest in Dissi water project, where His Majesty called on the interested Russian firms to take part in the tender to be presented next year to carry out the first phase.

He pointed out that Jordan is ready to train the working force Russian investors need for the Jordanian projects.

His Majesty expressed Jordan's interest in developing joint projects with the Russians. He expressed hope that stability will return to Iraq, where coordination with the experienced Jordanian private sector will be useful. He pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a special bureau to help the private sector work in Iraq.

Some Russian economists expressed concern in establishing small and medium projects, where Minister of Planning and International cooperation Basem Awadallah pointed out to the project of training working force for work in new projects.

Minister of Tourism Alia Bouran reviewed the tourist potentials in Jordan and opportunities of investment in Russian language in order to serve Russian tourists.

Earlier Thursday night Mayor of Moscow Youri Lodgkov held a dinner banquette on the King's honor.