His Majesty King Abdullah and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Friday discussed means to activate cooperation, especially in economic, commercial and investment fields, in addition to developments in the Middle East and efforts to achieve peace based on the two-state solution.
King Abdullah voiced appreciation for Japan's continued support for Jordan's development in vital sectors to realise sustainable development, highlighting opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
The talks, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Raiyah and the King's Special Adviser and Personal Envoy His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi, also covered projects Jordan plans to implement in the fields of energy, water, transport and infrastructure that will speed up economic growth.
King Abdullah and Hatoyama also discussed recent developments in the Middle East and efforts to achieve regional peace. The King emphasised the need for the international community to advance peace negotiations that will result in the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state that lives side-by-side in peace and security with Israel.
The expressed gratitude for Japan's continued support for efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Middle East.
The Japanese premier said his country is keen to develop cooperation with Jordan, adding that Jordanian-Japanese relations are solid and build on mutual trust and respect. He said that he highly valued the King's efforts to realise peace and stability in the Middle East.
At his residence in Japan, King Abdullah received Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and looked into efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The King highlighted Japan's important role in supporting efforts to remove obstacles that hinder tangible progress in the peace process.
While in Japan, King Abdullah also met with several Japanese economic officials and looked into means to foster bilateral cooperation and increase Japan's contribution in the economic development process in the Kingdom.
King Abdullah discussed with Hiroshi Watanabe, president and CEO of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Yasuo Hayashi, chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organisation, and Junichi Yamada, director general of the Middle East and Europe Department of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, possibilities of increasing Japan's support to Jordan's development programmes and plans in different sectors.
Japan contributes through JICA to the implementation of several projects, including training programs, women's empowerment and community development in collaboration with the private sector and non-governmental institutions. JICA also provides technical assistance in the form of experts and equipment.
During the visit, King Abdullah also met with Chairman of the Jordanian-Japanese Friendship Society Mikio Sasaki to discuss bilateral ties, to whom he emphasised his appreciation for the society's role in developing these ties in several fields.
During the King's last visit to Japan in 2009, the two countries signed a cooperation agreement in the field of nuclear energy, which entailed training Jordanians in this regard.
Japan's assistance to Jordan over the past six years reached $145 million. The Kingdom's exports to Japan stood at $126 million in 2009, while its imports amounted to $372 million.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko held a lunch banquet on Friday in honour of King Abdullah, Princess Raya and Prince Ghazi.