His Majesty King Abdullah II arrived on Wednesday in Luxembourg on a two- day working visit.



Upon arrival at the Grand Ducal Palace, the King was officially received by Duke Henry of Luxembourg and Duchess Maria Teresa.



After the welcoming ceremony His Majesty King Abdullah and Duke Henry held a bilateral meeting followed by a round of talks between His Majesty the King and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean Claude Juncker and his Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn. The talks covered bilateral relations, latest development in the Middle East region and the EU role in the region.



The King stressed the necessity to enhance trade ties with Luxembourg, increase Jordanian exports to the EU markets and to benefit from the free trade agreement between Jordan and the EU.



King Abdullah also expressed appreciation to the EU continued support to Jordan that helps implement economic and social development projects in the Kingdom. The King referred in particular to the year's grant by the EU which would contribute to supporting local development projects.



Within this context, an agreement on an EU additional grant to Jordan would be signed during King Abdullah's visit to Brussels on Thursday. The grant will be used to fight poverty in the course of social development programs.



The situation in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine and Iraq figured high in the King's talks, which were attended by the delegation accompanying King Abdullah on the visit. The two sides affirmed that there is a big opportunity at present for the new Palestinian leadership to rearrange its priorities with regard to the peace process in the region.



The King called upon the Palestinian and Israeli sides to commit themselves to an honest and accurate implementation of the Road Map, which would eventually lead to establishing an independent, sovereign and democratic Palestinian state living in peace alongside the Israeli state.



King Abdullah said Israel's plan to withdrawal from Gaza Strip should be the first step to a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and the Palestinian leadership should be the only party that Israel has to coordinate with regarding this withdrawal. The King also urged the international to intensify efforts to put an end for the Palestinian people suffering as soon as possible. To that end, King Abdullah noted the significant role of the EU to advance the peace process.



Luxembourg, which will head the EU rotating presidency early next year could play an essential role to help the Palestinians and Israelis go back to the table of negotiations, King Abdullah said. He also paid tribute to the EU aid to the Palestinian people to improve their living and develop their institutions.



On the Iraqi affairs, King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's commitment to continue its support to all efforts designed to promote security and stability in Iraq and to help the Iraqi people determine their future.



In this context, King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan's support to the present Iraqi interim government in its drive to restore stability and put an end to the state of anarchy in the
country.



The talks touched upon the outcome of Sharm Sheikh summit on supporting Iraq and the need settle thorny issues in Iraq that election that represent all Iraqis Prime Minister Juncker and Asselborn affirmed their coutntry's keenness to strengthen relations with Jordan in all fields and commended Jordan's economic and social reform plans.



They also paid tribute to Jordan's leading role to establish peace and stability in the region.