Jordan, Japan agree to build strategic partnership

AMMAN, May 1 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Tuesday to upgrade Jordanian-Japanese ties to a strategic partnership in political and economic fields.

The agreement came during their talks in the capital Amman, where the two leaders highlighted the importance of advancing economic and commercial cooperation, as well as increasing Japanese investments in vital sectors in Jordan.

They also agreed to maintain coordination and consultation on various issues of mutual concern to promote peace in the region and the world, according to a Jordanian Royal Court statement.

"Your ongoing aid to the Syrian refugees and the Jordanian host communities has been really vital to our country's resilience and development," the king told Abe.

Earlier this week, Jordan and Japan co-chaired an international meeting to coordinate global efforts to fight extremism in Jordan's Red Sea port city of Aqaba.

For his part, Abe promised Japan's continued assistance to Jordan.

Jordan's stability "is indispensable for regional stability, and Japan will continue providing assistance as much as possible, so as to ensure its social and economic stability, and support its development efforts," Abe said.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the Japanese prime minister announced a donation of about 15 million U.S. dollars to Jordan, Lebanon and Syria to help alleviate the impact of the Syrian crisis. Enditem