His Majesty King Abdullah discussed with Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic on Tuesday opportunities to increase bilateral economic cooperation in light of the current global financial crisis.

During talks in Slovakia Tuesday, King Abdullah and Gasparovic underlined the need to look into new horizons of cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, tourism, water and joint investments.

The King said there is great opportunity to boost cooperation and increase joint investments and trade exchange.

The two sides also agreed to continue discussions between officials in both countries to sign agreements that seek to cement economic and commercial ties.

Discussions during a lunch banquet also covered efforts to bring about a comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the two-state solution, which the King said is the sole solution to the conflict in the Middle East.

Slovak President valued King Abdullah's role to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

The two leaders also discussed means to activate ties between Jordan and the EU.

Also Tuesday, Jordan and Slovakia signed a memorandum of understanding on foreign affairs and a cultural cooperation agreement.

King Abdullah also met with Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Pavol Paska and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to discuss means to reinforce bilateral relations.

In an interview with Pravda newspaper, King Abdullah underlined the significance of commercial and economic cooperation between Jordan and Slovakia.

On the peace process, the King said the sole way to end the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis is through resuming negotiations that lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh stressed that the EU plays an important role in the Middle East in reaching the desired objective of establishing an independent and viable Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil.

Discussions were attended by Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, the King's Advisor Ayman Safadi, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Suhair Al Ali and Jordan's Non-resident Ambassador to Slovakia Makram Qaisi.