His Majesty King Abdullah II and Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar on Thursday held talks that focussed on development of economic cooperation between the two countries, and the situations in the Middle East, in addition to coordinating positions between the two countries ahead of the coming Arab summit in Tunisia.



During the meeting, the two sides agreed on increasing investment exchange between the two countries through setting programs for Qatari investment in the Kingdom , particularly tourist investment in Aqaba special Economic Zone.



The two leaders reviewed the situation in the Middle East, particularly the developments in the Palestinian territories and the moves aiming at activating the peace process and cessation of violence in the Palestinian territories.



During the meeting, His Majesty King Abdullah II and Sheikh Hamad stressed the necessity of the international community's support to Arab countries' endeavors to achieve peace in the Middle East.



Jordan is working, in coordination with Arab countries, to relaunch the Arab peace initiative approved in Beirut summit, that includes establishment of a Palestinian state on Palestinian soil and Arab recognition of Israel.



The talks touched on the situation in Iraq, where the two leaders affirmed their support to all steps approved by the Iraqi people to build a new independent Iraq, and highlighted their keenness on speeding up Iraqi's management of their country's affairs.



The two sides reviewed the issue of the Arab League reform and the initiatives launched for reform in the Middle East.



In a statement to "Petra," First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem described talks between His Majesty King Abdullah and Sheikh Hamad as positive and friendly. The talks touched on development of cooperation in the economic field between Jordan and Qatar, he said. He pointed out that in this regard, there is a program whose features will appear clearly during the coming weeks.



Sheikh Hamad said that within a week, a Qatari delegation is expected to visit Jordan to explore potentials of investment in the tourist fields, particularly in Aqaba Special Economic zone.



He said that talks focussed also on issues concerning the Middle East, Iraq and the coming Arab summit, of which the two countries are keen on coming out with decisions that serve the one Arab nation.



He pointed out that the talks focussed also on the Arab League reform, as there is a paper presented to the Arab leaders for discussion during their coming summit.



On his part, Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Basem Awadhallah said that the Jordanian Qatari talks focussed on the Arab league reform and coordinating the two countries' positions prior to the coming Arab summit.



He pointed out that King Abdullah II and Sheikh Hamad reviewed the issue of reform in the Arab homeland, where they affirmed the importance that reforms must proceed from inside rather than being imposed from outside.



Dr. Awadhallah pointed out that Jordanian Qatari relations are tangibly developing, and that there is coordination on the highest levels between the two countries to enhance economic cooperation, whose results will appear during the coming months. He stressed that there is a Qatari desire to support Jordan's economy through contribution to increasing Qatari investment in the Kingdom.



There is a Joint higher Jordanian Qatari Committee that aims to enhance relations and cooperation between the two countries. Jordanian exports to Qatar in 2004 reached $ 24,5m., while imports reached $ 11 m.