Their His Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Tuesday received Turkish President Abdullah Gul and the Turkish first lady who are in a three-day official visit to the Kingdom.

King Abdullah and President Gul held talks focused on means to boost cooperation between the two countries especially in the economic field.

Talks also covered current regional issues, especially means to achieve comprehensive and viable peace in the Middle East. The talks were attended by senior Jordanian and Turkish officials.

King Abdullah highlighted the significance of a free trade agreement signed on Tuesday between Jordan and Turkey on the sidelines of Gul's visit. The FTA seeks to enhance commercial cooperation and increase Turkish investments in the Kingdom. Also on Tuesday, Jordan and Turkey signed a partnership agreement to set up a joint free trade zone.

Underscoring the importance of Jordanian-Turkish relations, King Abdullah emphasised the need for tangible steps towards a new cooperative framework in 2010. The two leaders discussed the potential of cooperation in various fields, including regional infrastructure - particularly roadways, rail, energy, transport and gas. They two leaders stressed the need to organise mechanisms for regional cooperation.

On regional and international issues of mutual interest, the two leaders reviewed efforts to overcome obstacles to the resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.

The two countries also signed an agreement on the reciprocal cancellation of visa fees and another agreement on customs cooperation.

Commenting on the bilateral agreements signed on Tuesday, Minister of Industry and Trade Amer Hadidi said the free trade agreement stipulates the establishment of a free trade zone by 2011 under which customs will be fully eliminated after 12 years.

The minister also said that the agreement to cancel visa fees will facilitate travel between the two countries, while the agreement on customs cooperation will ease trade flows.

Jordan and Turkey are members of the Euro-Med Partnership and enjoy trade agreements with other Arab countries, so the free trade agreement will open the way for the flow of Turkish investments into the Kingdom, he added.

Turkish Minister of Trade and Industry Nihad Ergun, who signed the FTA on behalf of the Turkish government, said the deal will increase the volume of commercial exchange between the Kingdom and Turkey. It will also encourage Jordanian and Turkish businessmen to establish new business ventures and joint investments, the Turkish official added.