His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received Ahmad Masadeh, who was appointed recently as secretary general of the nascent Union for the Mediterranean (UPM).

King Abdullah congratulated Masadeh on his selection to the post and stressed the importance of the union in realising peace, stability and growth in the Mediterranean region.

The King also emphasised the its significant role in creating comprehensive economic, social and cultural partnerships among Euro-Mediterranean countries through the implementation of pioneering development projects.

Masadeh, formerly the Kingdom's ambassador to the EU, Belgium, Norway and Luxembourg as well as the Jordanian coordinator to the UPM and representative to NATO, was selected in mid-January by a unanimous decision, passed by the permanent representatives of the union's member states, and endorsed by their foreign ministers later in the month.

The UPM, officially launched at the Paris summit in July 2008, groups 42 European, Middle Eastern and North African states, in addition to the European Commission and the Arab League.

The union will hold its second summit in June in Barcelona to discuss enhancing Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, and Masadeh is expected to start his work during the next few weeks.