His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday met in the Belgian capital Brussels, with senior European Union officials and discussed with them means to boost strategic ties between Jordan and the EU, the latest regional and international developments, and means to address them, especially the war on terrorism and its gangs.

During a visit to the headquarters of the European Parliament, King Abdullah met with its President Martin Schulz, and reviewed with him Jordan’s relations with the EU institutions, especially in the economic field in light of the outcome of the London donor conference which was held last month.

In this context, His Majesty voiced Jordan’s appreciation of the European Parliament’s supportive stance to Jordan and its development process that would enable the Kingdom to achieve its objectives in addressing poverty and unemployment and creating job opportunities.

Talks during the meeting also dealt with the latest regional and international developments, efforts to fight terrorism and terrorist organisations, the Syrian crisis, and efforts to achieve peace, security and stability in the Middle East.

The president of the European Parliament welcomed the King’s visit to the Parliament, which he said reflects His Majesty's continued keenness to enhance the Kingdom's relations with EU institutions. He also praised His Majesty's role in promoting security and stability in the region.

His Majesty also met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and discussed with him the latest regional and international developments, and means of addressing them within the continued coordination and consultations between Jordan and the EU.

The King pointed to the role of the EU institutions in supporting efforts that aim at putting and end to regional crises, and finding solutions to them including in Iraq and Libya.

On efforts to combat terrorist organisations and extremist ideologies, the King stressed the need for concerted efforts within a clear and comprehensive strategy to preserve the security and stability of the region and its peoples.

His Majesty affirmed Jordan’s support to efforts that seek to achieve a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis that ends the suffering of the Syrian people, and ease the impact of the refugees’ crisis on neighboring countries.

Juncker for his part, voiced the EU’s keenness to strengthen relations with Jordan that enjoys an advanced strategic partnership with the EU, and affirmed the EU’s continued support to Jordan to enable it to deal with Middle East crises.

The King concluded his working visit to Brussels by holding a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, followed by an expanded meeting that was attended by senior NATO officials that focused on means to strengthen military cooperation between Jordan and NATO.

Talks also covered efforts to combat terrorism and its gangs, and means to enhance Jordan's military capabilities, especially in light of Jordan's pivotal role in the war against terrorism.

His Majesty reiterated the need for a holistic approach to defeat terrorist organisations that threaten global peace and security.

Discussions also dealt with efforts to enhance security and stability in Libya, and address challenges facing the North African Arab country.

Stoltenberg reiterated NATO’s commitment to supporting Jordan and maintaining cooperation and coordination with it to achieve common interests.

King Abdullah also met in Brussels with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani and reviewed with him strategic ties between Jordan and GCC countries and means to further boost them.

Talks also covered means to activate joint Arab action to address various challenges, and serve interests of Jordan and GCC countries in addition to the situation in the region as well as issues of common interest.

The meetings were attended by Chief Advisor to the King for Religious and Cultural Affairs and the King's Personal Envoy, His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad, the Royal Hashemite Court Chief, the deputy prime minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, the director of the King’s office, the minister of planning and international cooperation and Jordan’s ambassador in Brussels.