King, Governor-General of Australia discuss regional developments and ways to advance bilateral relations

Canberra, October 19 (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah II held talks in Canberra on Wednesday with the Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, covering ways to advance relations between Jordan and Australia and the latest developments in the region.

His Majesty expressed pride in the close bilateral relations, which last year marked 50 years since their establishment, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, trade, and private sector investments in energy, infrastructure, technology and mining.

The King valued the support Australia provides to Jordan in vital sectors, and its role in supporting the relief efforts of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation in Gaza.

His Majesty pointed to the Kingdom's keenness to increase tourism exchange between the two countries, noting the opportunity to encourage Australians interested in religious tourism to visit Jordan to attend the commemoration of the second millennium of the baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 at the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ (Al-Maghtas).

Speaking about regional developments, the King stressed the need to intensify international efforts to de-escalate in the region and restore the stability of Arab countries and the security of their peoples, praising Australia's positions in support of achieving regional peace.

His Majesty also warned of the danger of the continuation of Israeli attacks on the Palestinians and the Israeli government taking the situation in the region as a pretext to impose a new reality in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.

The talks addressed developments in Syria and Lebanon, and the importance of supporting the security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries.

For her part, Mostyn affirmed her pride in the depth of relations between Australia and Jordan and the keenness to expand them in various sectors, praising the Kingdom's efforts in working towards stability and de-escalation and Jordan's humanitarian role.

Upon His Majesty's arrival at the Australian government headquarters in Canberra, an official reception ceremony was held for His Majesty, and His Majesty wrote a message in the VIP visitors' register.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, the Director of His Majesty's Office, Engineer Alaa Batayneh, and Jordan's Ambassador to Australia, Janti Kalajokian.