AMMAN — His Majesty
King Abdullah received Prince Charles, the Prince of
Wales, on Tuesday at Al Husseiniya Palace, at the start of his official visit
to the Kingdom, according to a Royal Court statement.
اضافة اعلان
At
expanded talks that followed a bilateral meeting — which was attended by Her Majesty
Queen Rania, HRH
Crown Prince Hussein, and HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, His
Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy —
discussions covered the deep-rooted ties of friendship between the two
countries and the importance of maintaining coordination on issues of mutual
concern.
TRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and Camilla, the Duchess of
Cornwall, accompanied by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, visit the Baptism Site
on November 16, 2021. (Photo: Ameer Khalifeh/Jordan News)
Speaking
at the top of the expanded meeting, King Abdullah welcomed the Prince of Wales
and the Duchess of Cornwall on their visit to Jordan, which had been delayed
because of COVID-19.
His
Majesty said the visit comes in the year that marks Jordan’s centennial and 100
years for the ties between the two countries.
The
King noted the relationship he witnessed as he grew up between the late King
Hussein and Prince Charles, adding that he built on this relationship with the
Prince of Wales.
“To see
two young men, our sons, establish their relationship really warms my heart,”
His Majesty continued.
The
King commended the success of the Glasgow climate summit. “I know this is
something that you started way before anybody really understood these
challenges, and I just wanted to commend you for your leadership,” His Majesty
said, addressing Prince Charles.
For his
part, the Prince of Wales expressed delight to visit Jordan.
“I
cannot thank Your Majesty enough for your incredibly kind and generous welcome.
It is always very special indeed to come back to Jordan. I’m sorry this time it
is, what, 19 months late, so I do apologise when we should have been here last
March,” Prince Charles said.
But the
visit is “hugely encouraging” he continued, “because we have been — all of us —
most concerned about all our friends in Jordan and the Middle East throughout
this appalling pandemic.”
“This
occasion is even more special, bearing in mind the centenary of the very
special relationship and friendship between both our countries. And in all
those years, that relationship has matured even more and matters a very great
deal to us in the United Kingdom,” Prince Charles said.
“I also
wanted to say particularly just how hugely we all admire Jordan and Your
Majesty’s efforts in looking after so many refugees coming from all around this
area, and the fact that Jordan is so unbelievably hospitable and generous, is
truly remarkable,” he added.
Referring
to the Glasgow climate conference, Prince Charles said ,“the talking has gone
on for so long, it’s time for action on the ground, which is the most important
thing of all.”
At the
expanded talks — attended by Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Ghazi, as well as
senior officials from the two countries — His Majesty stressed the importance
of bolstering cooperation between Jordan and the UK, especially across economic
fields.
The
King expressed appreciation of the UK’s support for Jordan’s development
efforts, including response to the Syrian refugee crisis, which has been
compounded due to the impact of COVID-19.
His
Majesty also commended the UK’s efforts to counter climate change, stressing
Jordan’s keenness to contribute to these efforts, as well as the Kingdom’s
readiness to collaborate with the UK in enhancing food security and mitigating
the economic impact of COVID-19.
Director
of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Jordan’s Ambassador in London Manar
Dabbas, the UK’s Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind, and a number of British
officials attended the talks.
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