His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday held a summit meeting with European Union leaders that continued over a working dinner hosted by EU Council President Donald Tusk at the council’s headquarters in Brussels.

The meeting was attended by European Parliament President Martin Schulz, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Investment Bank President Werner Hoyer and several senior European officials.

The talks focused on ways to strengthen “strategic relations” between Jordan and the EU, efforts of EU institutions to support the Kingdom’s economy through simplifying of the EU rules of origin to facilitate investments in development and industrial zones in the Kingdom and enhance Jordanian exports to Europe.

The meeting discussed challenges facing Jordan, the impact of regional crises, mainly the Syrian conflict, as well as ways to minimise their repercussions on the Kingdom.

Talks also covered the need to implement the recommendations of the London donor conference, where Jordan presented its case as a major host of refugees and secured assistance from the donor community, including pledges of support from Europe.

It also tackled regional and international efforts to combat terrorism, with the EU leaders commending Jordan’s role in this effort.

From the Jordanian side, the summit meeting was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi, the King’s personal envoy and adviser for religious and cultural affairs, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan and Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury.