South Korea's private sector is likely to help the Kingdom implement the vital Red-Dead Canal project, along with nuclear energy and infrastructure schemes.

During a summit on Monday between His Majesty King Abdullah and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, the two sides agreed to task officials from both countries to look into ways they can cooperate in the targeted fields.

Discussions between King Abdullah and the South Korean president covered cooperation in renewable energy, water desalination, in addition to the potential contribution of South Korean companies to the implementation of the Red-Dead Canal project.

The two leaders emphasised that there is potential for increasing cooperation, especially in light of the growing trade exchange, which doubled over the past few years.

King Abdullah said yesterday Jordan plans to open an embassy in Seoul in the second half of 2009.

Meanwhile, the South Korean leader accepted an invitation by King Abdullah to visit Jordan. Timing of the visit is yet to be coordinated.

In the presence of King Abdullah and the South Korean president, officials from both governments signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in addition to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on economic and development cooperation.

Over a dinner banquet, held by the South Korean leader, King Abdullah stressed the importance of cooperation between South Korea and the Middle East, which he said have mutual interests in realising stability in the energy and economic sectors.

His Majesty emphasised that Jordan believes that dialogue is a crucial element to achieve cooperation between nations, noting that the Kingdom has exerted intensive efforts to support interfaith and intercultural dialogue.

The King cited in this regard the Amman Message, which reflects the true values of Islam as a faith that promotes moderation and acceptance and respect for others.

King Abdullah highly valued Korea's efforts to extend bridges to the Arab and Islamic worlds.

On Middle East, the King explained efforts to work out a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, stressing that the Arab countries have reached a consensus on the said solution through the initiative their leaders endorsed in 2002, offering Israel peace and full normal ties with the Arab world in return for its withdrawal from the lands it occupied in 1967.