Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-22

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] King Abdullah of Jordan meets Greek industry union SEB officials, visits Parliament

[01] King Abdullah of Jordan meets Greek industry union SEB officials, visits Parliament

During the meeting at SEB's offices, King Abdullah underlined that boosting cooperation between the two countries was a challenge and suggested that possible areas of cooperation might be found in the tourism, telecommunications, textiles and foodstuffs sectors.

Jordan's economy is currently one of the most thriving and rapidly growing economies in the region, with GDP growth rates reaching 7.6 percent and inflation at around 3.2 percent.

Exports from Jordan to Greece came to 1.6 million dollars in 2005, down from 2.0 million dollars the previous year. Exports from Greece to Jordan were 25 million dollars in both years.

Earlier, King Abdullah paid a call to the Hellenic Parliament where he was greeted by parliament president Anna Psarouda-Benaki, who said it was a great joy and honour to welcome Abdullah in Greece, adding that his visit was of exceptional significance for parliament.

Psarouda-Benaki expressed her appreciation for Abdullah's efforts, both domestically in Jordan with his efforts for reforms, and also his role in the peacekeeping effort in Jordan's neighbouring countries.

The Jordanian head of state said he considered it a great honour to visit the Hellenic Parliament, and expressed hope that the visit would open up a new page in the strengthening of relations between the parliaments of the two countries.

On Wednesday, Abdullah met with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias for talks focussing on strengthening economic relations between the two countries, the political volition for which was reflected in the signing of two cooperation agreements in the sectors of tourism and investments by the relevant ministers.

Tourism development minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and Jordanian industry and trade minister Sharif al-Zubi on Wednesday signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector, while deputy foreign minister Evripides Stylianidis and al-Zubi signed an agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments. The agreements were signed in the presence of the two heads of state.

After their meeting, Papoulias praised the Jordanian monarch's position in favour of a moderate Islan and against terrorism, and said they were in agreement that the establishment of a Palestinian state was the only solution for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The two men also took positions in favour of a united and democratic Iraq.

"We agreed that the confrontation of terrorism cannot be effected only with suppressive means but that, in order to be tackled at its roots, it is necessary to improve the education and living conditions of the peoples, and for human rights to be respected," Papoulias told reporters.

He also said that he had Abdallah had "reaffirmed the very good relations between our two countries and the proximity of our views on the difficult and complex issues facing the Middle East".

King Abdullah stressed the desire for further strengthening bilateral economic relations, adding that, for that purpose, he would meet on Thursday with "select members of Greek industry and the private sector".

Abdullah was greeted at the Presidential Mansion with full honours of head of state by the Air Force philharmonic orchestra and an honour guard of the Presidential Guard.

Immediately afterwards, Papoulias and Abdullah held private talks, after which they were joined by the delegations of the two countries. The two economic cooperation agreements were signed during the wider meeting.

Abdullah closed his statements with an invitation to Papoulias to visit Jordan soon.

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