His Majesty King Abdullah and Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson opened talks on Tuesday focusing on ways to further tdevelop ties of cooperation between the two countries in all fields and the current situation in the Middle East.



During a meeting attended by the King's delegation and senior Swedish delegations King Abdullah outlined investment opportunities in the Kingdom for Swedish businessmen and investors.



Jordan looks forward to having Swedish investment in the telecommunications and IT sectors where Sweden is considered one of the advanced countries in these areas, the King said.



The Association Agreement between Jordan and Europe encourages and supports business leaders in the two countries to launch joint investment ventures, King Abdullah said.



The talks also covered the current developments in the Middle East where King Abdullah explained the deteriorating situation as a result of escalated violence. The Palestinian problem is core of conflict in the region and security and stability can never progress without fin ding a just solution that puts an end to Israeli occupation and leads to an independent Palestinian state, King Abdullah said.



The international community has the opportunity to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict through supporting the Roadmap peace plan and encouraging both the Palestinians and the Israelis to resume peace talks, the King told his audience.



King Abdullah stressed the need to extend support to the new Palestinian government led by Ahmed Qureia, because should this government fail, tension and violence will increase.



The talks also covered the situation in Iraq. The more we move quickly in aiding Iraq to help it build its institutions, the greater will be the steps towards helping the Iraqis to run their own affairs, the King said.



Persson said the King's visit will serve as a strong impetus to strengthen relations between the two countries. He said his government will study with the private sector means of encouraging Swedish investment in Jordan.



He added upon his talks with the King, he would instruct his foreign Minister to follow up closely the situation in the Middle East and to play a more effective role in the region.



King Abdullah also held talks with Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Peron Von Sydo focusing on parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The King also outlined development of events on the Iraqi and Palestinian scenes.