His Majesty King Abdullah and Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva held talks in Lisbon and agreed to work for closer economic ties and press ahead with Middle East peace efforts.
At the meeting, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania and Portuguese First Lady Maria Cavaco Silva, the two leaders emphasised the opportunities for bilateral cooperation, with Silva highlighting the Portuguese business community's interest in the Jordan as a promising destination for investment and as a gateway into other markets in the region.
The two leaders were later joined by top aides for a discussion of economic cooperation that follow from several agreements signed during President Silva's visit to Jordan last year. Other agreements will be signed during the King's current visit.
King Abdullah emphasised the need to kick-start serious negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis and push for the two-state solution. He said that the U.S. and Europe's support for negotiations that proceed according to a timeline and yield tangible results is crucial.
Royal Court Chief Nasser Lawzi, the King's Adviser Ayman Safadi, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Minister of Industry and Trade Amir Hadidi and Non-Resident Ambassador to Portugal Dina Kawar attended the talks.
At a press conference following the talks, King Abdullah said the Portuguese president's visit to Jordan last year opened horizons for developing relations in different fields, especially the economy.
The King said the accompanying Jordanian business delegation will meet with their Portuguese counterparts Tuesday to discuss economic relations between the private sectors in both countries, noting that there are several potential fields to further enhance cooperation including the sectors of renewable energy, ICT, pharmaceutical industries and tourism.
He also expressed his appreciation for President Silva's support and understanding of regional circumstances, saying that Jordan will work closely with Portugal in the coming months to bring about peace and stability in the region.
King Abdullah emphasised that Jordan will work with the Arab states, Europe and the US to ensure that the formation of a new Israeli government does not become an excuse to delay peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
President Silva said he appreciated King Abdullah's efforts to achieve peace in the region, adding that Jordan's tolerance and stability is a model to be followed.
During a meeting with Portuguese Parliament Speaker Jaime Gama and representatives of the political parties, King said Amman was keen to cement ties with Lisbon, noting to the areas of cooperation in the political and economic fields.
He also briefed the lawmakers on the efforts to advance the Middle East peace process, through kicking-start serious negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis to solve the conflict according to the two-state formula.
In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Publico, King Abdullah said there is no alternative to pursuing a lasting settlement that will free the Middle East from conflict and enable its peoples, especially the young, to look forward to a future of progress and achievement rather than live with fear and frustration.
The Arab Peace Initiative, he added, can bring a lasting and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution.
"We have made our choice: a lasting and comprehensive peace. Israel has to make its choice too: Does it want to remain fortress Israel, isolated in the region and responsible for prolonging conflict and injustice, or does it want to be integrated into the region, live in peace with its neighbors," the King said.
King Abdullah noted the positive signals from the United States and Europe, saying that the new US administration has asserted that it “will be actively engaged in the efforts to reach a settlement and so has Europe been trying to work with all concerned parties."
"The countries of the region confront several common challenges that cannot be effectively addressed or resolved as long as the conflict persists," King Abdullah said, adding that conflict has impeded the development of the region as a whole.
Answering a question about his visit to Lisbon, the King said the main focus was to advance official bilateral ties, and help build contacts between the Jordanian and Portuguese private sectors.
"Our bilateral relations are very warm and friendly," he said, adding that there is much greater scope for cooperation at the official level and beyond.