First visit for a Jordanian king in 25 years, Abdullah in Tehran to open a new page
Jordan's King Abdullah II yesterday started a historical visit to Iran which was the first by a Jordanian King since 25 years, aiming at closing a long file of separation between the two countries and furnishing for a new phase as well as to crystallize a joint position concerning Iraq, discuss developments in the Palestinian territories and aim to sign a security agreement between the two countries especially in confrontation of al-Qaida organization.
The Jordanian king will meet today with the higher guide of the Islamic revolution of Iran Ayatullah Ali Khamaeni.
Iran's President Muhammad Khatami received the Jordanian King who is accompanies by the prime minister Ali Abul Ragheb and other Jordanian ministers and officials including the director of the general intelligence Ali Kheir.
Iranian news agency quoted Khatami as saying to the king "we call for interaction among countries of the region on the ground of mutual respect with the aim to achieve continued peace and security in the Middle East." Khatami stressed that the foundation of democracy in Iraq will contribute to alleviating the extent of current violence and the tense situation.
Khatami expressed his concern over the situation of the Palestinians, noting "we seek to restore back peace which is based on justice." The Iranian news agency also said that the king will hold talks with the Khatami and with the foreign minister Kamal Kharazi and other officials, and will meet with Khameini today.
Meantime, a source at the Jordanian royal court said that the talks will "deal with the mechanism to push forward and revitalize bilateral relations in various fields especially in the economic and cultural areas and increasing the volume of trade exchange and activating the role of the private sector to establish joint projects." Current conditions in the region especially latest developments in Iraq and the Palestinian territories will be on the agenda.
Observers consider that the visit is an attempt to crystallize a joint stand on the situation in Iraq and to furnish for a new phase in the relations between the two countries. Relations which had been intensified as a result of the opposition made by the late Jordanian King Hussein to the Iranian revolution in 1979 because of his friendship with the Shah of Iran and Jordan's stand in support of Iraq in its war against Iran in 1980- 1988.