His Majesty King Abdullah II, condemned during a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the act of seizing school students as hostages in the Republic of Ossetia south of Russia.



His Majesty also condemned this cowardly criminal act that targets the life of innocent children.



President Putin expressed appreciation for His Majesty's position and feelings towards the shocking hostage drama. He also voiced happiness for meeting His Majesty, noting to King Abdullah's important role in the region.



The Russian president also praised the King's efforts to establish peace and stability in all parts of the world as well as the King's courageous efforts in combating terrorism.



The King and Putin expressed their keenness to develop ties of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the economic and trade fields.



The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the level of relations, which have made big strides through the signing of a number of bilateral agreements that encourage the private sector from both countries to establish joint projects.



Talks during the meeting also touched on the situation in the Middle East, particularly developments related to the peace process and the situation in Iraq.



The King and the Russian President stressed the importance of concerted international efforts to push the peace process forward and put it back on its proper track. They also underlined the importance of implementing items of the roadmap peace plan with a view to establish an independent and viable Palestinian state and
achieve comprehensive and permanent peace in the region.



On Iraq, the King and Putin stressed the importance of the unity and stability of Iraq as well as enabling the Iraqis to build their institutions.



The talks were attended on the Jordanian side by His Majesty's Advisor for Security Affairs, Director of the Intelligence Department and Rapporteur of the State Security Council, General Saad Kheir, Minister of the Hashemite Royal Court, Sameer Rifai,
Foreign Minister Dr. Marwan Muasher, Planning and International Cooperation Minister, Dr. Bassim Awadallah and the Jordanian ambassador to Russia, Abdullah Al Kurdi.



On the Russian side, the talks were attended by assistant of the Russian president, deputy foreign minister, head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Foreign Ministry and the Russian ambassador to Jordan.



Bilateral ties and means of developing them were the major topics of His Majesty's talks with the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradcov.



His Majesty called for expanding Jordanian-Russian economic ties as well s benefiting from privileges provided by Jordan's conducive investment climate that qualifies it to be an important trade and investment partner of Russia in the region.



King Abdullah stressed Jordan's keenness to activate economic cooperation and increase investment, trade and tourism exchange between the two countries through the establishment of successful projects between the private sector of both countries.



For his part, the Russian prime minister expressed appreciation for His Majesty's keenness to develop bilateral ties in all fields as well as the King's initiative to meet with economic, trade and investment figures in addition to the Russian businessmen community.



Fradcov voiced appreciation for steps and programs being implemented by Jordan to attract foreign investments and create an attractive investment climate. He also affirmed keenness of his country to develop and activate its relations with Jordan for the common interest of both peoples.