His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday bestowed the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance), granted to heads of state, on German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in recognition of her relentless efforts to enhance friendship and expand cooperation between Jordan and Germany.

During a meeting in Berlin, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, King Abdullah expressed appreciation for the strong relations between the two countries, thanking Germany for announcing 483.7 million euros in support for Jordan for 2021.

The new aid package funds development projects in key sectors, including water, education, employment, and technical and vocational training, in addition to supporting the Jordan Response Plan to the Syrian crisis by funding projects allocated for host communities and refugees.

In joint remarks to the press, His Majesty commended working with Merkel for over 15 years, as the two countries witnessed a stronger partnership based on mutual commitment towards peace and stability worldwide.

“Your leadership, Madam Chancellor, has been key in bringing us all closer to stability and mutual respect and understanding,” the King said.

“Your legacy of steady, mature leadership speaks for itself. Over these past years, your wisdom has helped our world navigate many perilous crises,” His Majesty added, noting that the latest such crisis has been the COVID-19 pandemic and its severe ramifications.

“Your compassion, dedication, and honesty have been instrumental in building enduring partnerships and overcoming differences,” the King said.

His Majesty said Wednesday’s meeting is a chance for Jordan to thank Chancellor Merkel for her leadership.

“Under your watch, relations between Jordan and Germany have continued to grow from strength to strength across the political, economic, cultural, and military sectors,” the King noted, expressing Jordan’s pride in these relations and keenness on enhancing them further with Germany and the European Union.

For her part, Chancellor Merkel expressed interest in Jordan’s current reform drive in various fields, adding that it is a pleasure to meet with the King again in Berlin to discuss ties, which have grown stronger over the past years.

Merkel stressed the importance of exchanging views to enhance mutual security and political cooperation, expressing appreciation for Jordan’s handling of political and security issues in a tough region.

“Throughout the course of my years in service, I was able to learn a lot from His Majesty,” the chancellor said.

She highlighted ongoing cooperation and exchange of views on the COVID-19 pandemic, and means of advancing vaccination programmes.

On foreign policy, the chancellor commended Jordan’s committed efforts towards the two-state solution, a matter that she said she emphasised during her recent visit to Israel.

“We don’t want to abandon the thought of a two-state solution; we want to continue to work for that, because we believe that the security of Israel is best guaranteed if there is a state for the Palestinians in which they can live,” she added.

In addition, Chancellor Merkel commended His Majesty’s role in safeguarding holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship, a role she described as “very special and important”.

On regional politics, Merkel said exchanging view on Syria is ongoing, describing the situation there as “far from satisfactory”, adding that there is much to talk about on Iraq and Iran.

Chancellor Merkel concluded her remarks by thanking the King for his role in pursuit of peaceful solutions to regional conflicts, despite the challenging circumstance, commending His Majesty’s cooperation over the past years and his efforts to bolster prosperity in Jordan.

The meeting covered means of advancing ties, as well as regional and international developments, with the King calling for stepping up efforts towards just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty called for stepping up efforts to reach the two-state solution, as the only way to achieve regional peace, stability, and security, stressing Jordan’s ongoing efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

In addition, the King stressed the need to maintain support for UNRWA to sustain its relief services in line with its UN mandate.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and a number of senior German officials attended the meeting.