His Majesty King Abdullah II starts a working visit to Canada on Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper as well as other Canadian political and business leaders.

During his first meeting with the Canadian prime minister, King Abdullah will discuss the situation in the Palestinian territories and opportunities for a revival of the peace process based on the objective of realizing a two-state solution and in accordance with international resolutions. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the situation in Iraq and ways to strengthen security and stability there.

Bilateral ties, particularly economic ties, will be high on the agenda of King Abdullah's visit. Talks with Canadian leaders are expected to address trade and investment relations, energy security, and Jordan's debt to Canada.

The King will also meet with Stephane Dion, head of the Liberal Party and opposition leader, as well as members of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives which groups economic leaders in the country. King Abdullah will discuss ways to attract Canadian investment to Jordan and encourage joint projects between the two countries' private sectors.

King Abdullah will also deliver a speech at the foreign ministry's Lester B. Pearson Building which was established in honour of renowned Canadian Foreign Minister and Nobel Peace Laureate Lester Pearson who later became the country's prime minister.