His Majesty King Abdullah and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday discussed means to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, as well as ways to increase joint investments.

Jordan and Hungary on Monday signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of energy and a cooperation programme on education and science.

King Abdullah said during his meeting with Orban that Jordan will take all necessary steps to boost cooperation with Hungary.

This is in line with the country’s strong relations with the European Union, so that it may extend to the energy and information technology sectors.

The King said the bilateral MoU and cooperation agreements provide the foundation for a solid partnership between the Jordanian and Hungarian private sectors.

His Majesty highlighted venues to strengthen cooperation in the fields of tourism, water, agriculture and pharmaceuticals, increase the exchange of expertise on nuclear energy and benefit from central and eastern European experience in political and democratic transformation.

The King briefed Orban on current regional affairs, such as efforts towards a comprehensive regional peace, the end of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, as well as developments in the Syrian crisis and the ramifications of the violence on Syria’s neighbouring countries.

Orban expressed appreciation for His Majesty’s efforts to achieve regional peace and stability, his leadership in the Kingdom’s drive towards reform and his commitment to strengthening relations with EU countries, noting that Hungary is keen on strengthening cooperation with the Kingdom, which he described as stable and secure.

The meeting, attended by officials from both sides as well as representatives from the private sectors of both countries, was presided over by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Orban.

Jordan and Hungary are bound by several agreements on investment promotion and protection, and on cooperation in health, transport, water management, culture and scientific research.