Jordan and the UK on Tuesday agreed to launch a strategic economic dialogue to enhance their economic cooperation that reflects their historically strong ties.

His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, and a UK-Jordan joint statement on economic cooperation was issued in which the two sides announced a strategic economic dialogue, comprising representatives of the public and private sectors from both countries to discuss opportunities of joint economic cooperation.

Under the proposed strategy, representatives of the two countries’ public and private sectors will meet regularly to find new opportunities to enhance economic cooperation.

Dialogue will also focus on means to bolster trade exchange, employment-generating and value-adding investments and tourism between Jordan and the UK as well as partnerships between companies in both countries specialised in financial services, energy and SMEs, among other sectors.

Discussions will also focus on the potential benefits and opportunities offered by the unique business environments in both countries, including Jordan’s location in the Middle East and North Africa region and its projected membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The dialogue will also consider ways in which the UK’s Arab Partnership Programme and London’s relationship with the European Union, the G-8 and other international financial institutions can be utilised to support Jordan’s political, economic and social reform process.

Talks between the King and Cameron also focused on the latest developments in the Arab region and their ramifications on the future of the region and its people, as well as efforts exerted to achieve peace in the Middle East on the basis of the two-state solution.

During the meeting, His Majesty  stressed that the Arab Spring provided an opportunity to bring about positive change that the Arab peoples aspire, reviewing Jordan’s endeavour to achieve comprehensive reforms.

The King also stressed the importance of exerting more efforts to bring the Palestinians and Israelis back to the negotiating table to discuss all final status issues and ultimately establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 border living in peace and harmony with Israel, emphasising the UK’s role in this regard.

His Majesty noted that the two-state solution is the only approach to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve peace and stability in the entire region.

For his part, Cameron expressed appreciation for the King’s efforts to push the peace process forward and Jordan’s pivotal role in the region.