His Majesty King Abdullah II held talks on Saturday in Seoul with Korean President, Ruh Mu Heun, on bilateral relations and developments of regional situation, particularly in Iraq.



During the meeting, the King expressed Jordan's keenness on promoting its ties with Korea, particularly in the economic and investment fields.



His Majesty called on enhancing economic ties, increasing
Korean investments and benefiting from the Jordanian investment privileges.



The King also pointed to Jordan's readiness to provide facilities
to Koran companies willing to contribute to building Iraq. '' Jordan will play a great role in empowering the Korean private sector to enter the Iraqi market and support the Iraqis to rebuild their country,'' King Abdullah added, who extended an invitation to Korean President to visit Jordan.



In addition, His Majesty affirmed the importance of convening the
Jordanian -Korean Joint Committee in the near future with a view to discuss means of developing bilateral relations and implementing agreements signed between the two countries.



During the meeting, which was attended by Minister of the Royal Court, Samir Rifai, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Basem Awadallah, Minister of Finance, Muhammad Abu Hamour, King's media advisor, Ali Fazza' along with a number of Koran ministers, the two sides discussed the Korean contribution to deploy peacekeeping forces in Iraq.



On his part, the Korean President expressed his country's pride
over the strong Jordanian- Korean ties, expressing thanks for Jordan's support to Korean companies that will contribute to rebuilding Iraq.



President Heun said that despite the hard circumstances in the Middle East region, Jordan could create a secure and stable climate and achieve economic growth.



During the dinner banquet, King Abdullah said that the Jordanian-Korean relations are distinguished ones, pointing that the visit comes to affirm Jordan's commitment to enhance bilateral relations and achieve joint successes with Korea.



The Korean President valued King Abdullah's efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, noting to His Majesty's interest to settle the nuclear issue in the North Korea.



In presence of His Majesty King Abdullah and Korean President, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Basem Awadallah and Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki Moon have signed a a grant agreement whereby Korea offers Jordan $5 million, and a $24 loan agreement.



Minister of Finance Mohammad Abu Hamour and Korean Foreign Minister have also singed two agreements, one to prevent tax duality and the second to activate joint investment.



The Korean investment in Jordan is slightly above JD2 million, and trade balance between the two countries is in favour of South Korea.



Jordan's exports to Korea last year amounted JD 3.1 million and its imports amounted JD101.8.



Jordan and Korea have concluded series of agreements and bilateral cooperation programs. Fertilizer, copper, aluminum, vegetable oil, and perfumes are major exports to Korea, where vehicle and spare parts, mechanical apparatuses, electronics, cardboard and paper industries, garments, iron manufacturing are major imports from Korea.