His Majesty King Abdullah II said his current visit to Germany aims in the first place at strengthening economic and social relations between the two countries to rise up to the level of the close political ties existing between them for decades.

Speaking in joint press remarks with German President Johannes Rau following their talks at the presidential palace on Tuesday, King Abdullah, who appreciated Germany's stand in supporting Middle East peace efforts, affirmed the tremendous opportunities to build bridges of solidarity between the German and Jordanian people.

President Rau said the visit of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania reflects the close ties of friendship linking the two countries.

He said Jordan has a strong influence on peace making in the region and Jordan has always been a stabilizing power in the Middle East and it is carrying out an extremely difficult mission for the sake of peace.

Following the meeting between the two leaders, and in expression of the two countries' efforts to enhance bilateral relations, the Jordanian and German governments reached an agreement to reschedule $90 m. of Jordan's debt to Germany in implementation of the agreement concluded with the Paris Club of creditors last July to reschedule Jordan's external debts during the years 2002-2005.

Finance Minister Michel Marto, who signed the agreement on behalf of Jordan, said in its next budget plan the German Government would agree with the Jordanian Government to swap part of Jordan's debts with development projects.