Jordan strives to become a model country in utilising nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, His Majesty King Abdullah said on Sunday during talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on bilateral ties and prospects for further cooperation.

King Abdullah sought Korea’s support for a Jordanian initiative to build a team to combat nuclear smuggling, which will be proposed during the Second Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul today.

During the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty and President Lee discussed means to boost cooperation in the fields of energy, technical education and infrastructure.

King Abdullah thanked President Lee for supporting the establishment of an atomic research reactor at the Jordan University of Science and Technology.

The King underlined the importance of the summit, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Jordan and the Republic of Korea.

On the occasion, the two countries’ foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation at all levels.

The King also commended the student exchange programmes between the two countries.

He stressed Jordan’s commitment to developing economic cooperation with Seoul, especially as the Kingdom enjoys a level of security and stability that allows it to attract foreign investments.

His Majesty also highlighted the possibility of Jordan serving as an “economic gateway” to the region’s markets.

The two leaders discussed the latest developments in the region and the current political situation in the Middle East as well as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and ways to resolve it on the basis of the two-state solution, arriving at the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

President Lee underlined his country’s commitment to continued cooperation with Jordan by providing support to several projects it is embarking on.

Their Royal Highnesses Princess Raiyah, Prince Rashid and Prince Zeid also attended the meeting, along with senior officials from both sides.