His Majesty King Abdullah II left Amman for Croatia at the start of an East European tour that will include Croatia, the Czech Republic and Romania. The three-day visit comes as part of efforts being exerted by His Majesty to promote ties of cooperation with these countries in the various fields.



King Abdullah will hold talks with Croatian President, Stipe Mesich, the Czech President, Vaclav Klaus and the Romanian President, Ion Iliesco that will focus on mechanisms of developing relations between Jordan and these counties, and well as cooperation in the economic, educational, cultural and tourism fields.



His Majesty's talks will also cover investment opportunities and facilities provided to the private sector in Croatia, the Czech Republic and Romanian to establish investment projects in Jordan. Other topics for discussion will include the situation in the Middle East, especially developments in Iraq and Palestine, as well as the role of these countries in achieving peace and stability, and providing dignified life for the region's peoples.



The King is accompanied by an official delegation that will include Minister of the Hashemite Royal Court, Sameer Rifai, the King Advisor, Akil Beltaji and Minister of Planning and International cooperation, Dr. Bassim Awadallah.



Jordan and Croatia established diplomatic ties in 1994, and they signed bilateral cooperation agreement in the same year to develop economic and trade ties. The two countries also signed an investment and trade agreements in 1999.



During the talks that the King held with the Croatian president during his visit to Jordan last March, the two sides agreed to activate cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries, through increasing the number of scholarships granted to Croatian Muslim students to study the Arabic language and Islamic religion at Jordanian universities. Jordan was among the countries that sent peace keeping forces to Croatia under the umbrella of the United Nations.



Jordan and Croatia which established bilateral relations in 1964, signed a number of cooperation agreements in the trade, scientific, cultural, health, air services and investment fields. The two countries are currently holding talks to sign an agreement on preventing dual taxation.



His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Al Hussein was sworn in as regent in the presence of cabinet ministers.