His Majesty King Abdullah II and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, continued talks on bilateral cooperation between the two nations and means to promote them in all fields, as well as issues of regional and international concern.



During the meeting, King Abdullah and Prime Minister Badawi stressed the importance of moving forward in enhancing relations so as to achieve the interests of both peoples especially in the economic, cultural and scientific domains. His Majesty added that there will be more facilitation to increase the number of places in universities allocated to Malaysian students especially in Arabic language and Islamic studies.



King Abdullah also briefed the Malaysian Prime Minister on the steps that Jordan was taking to promote economic development and reduce unemployment and in light of this that Jordan was an opportunity for the Malaysian private sector along with their Jordanian counterparts to invest in. The King also praised Malaysia's developmental efforts stressing that it was a model in the Islamic world.



King Abdullah also highlighted that Jordan's efforts based on the Amman Message, and the International Islamic conference held in July, are in line and parallel to the Malaysian project of 'Islam Hadhari', being led by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. His Majesty and Prime Minister Badawi both affirmed the importance of coordinating and unifying efforts in the Islamic world to face challenges that face the Islamic nation.



His Majesty also stressed Jordan's efforts at pushing the peace process forward and the importance of Malaysia's and other Islamic countries' role within the international community to continue efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability in the Middle East. He added that the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip was an important step in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but that all parties should know what additional steps towards peace will follow the pullout.



King Abdullah and Prime Minister Badawi also agreed that the participation of all Iraqis in the political process is vital to the realization of a united, democratic, stable and violence-free Iraq in which the rights of all Iraqis are protected.



King Abdullah was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, His Majesty's Personal Envoy and Special Advisor, Chief of the Royal Court Faisal Al Fayez, Deputy Director of National Security and Acting Director of the King's Private Office Ma'rouf Al Bakhit, Foreign Minister Farouq Qasrawi and Jordanian Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur Hassan Al-Jawarnah.



Prior to his departure, His Majesty King Abdullah participated in Friday prayers at the Sultan Abdel-Samad Mosque near the Malaysian capital.



In statements to Jordanian television, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar affirmed the importance of His Majesty King Abdullah's visit in promoting relations between the two brotherly countries. He also expressed appreciation for Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, over its efforts that aim at serving the Islamic nation's issues, and realizing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and stressed Malaysia's support of such efforts.