Jordan PM meets his Canadian counterpart

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met on Thursday with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss bilateral ties as well as the latest developments in the Middle East. Ensour and Harper voiced their satisfaction over cooperation between the two countries, mainly in the economic and trade fields, especially after their free trade agreement went into effect in late 2012. Ensour reviewed Jordan's comprehensive reform process, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, in the political, economic and social fields. Jordan, he said, thanks to its wise leadership, has been able to deal positively with the aspirations of Jordanians for more democracy, freedom and openness despite the current events in the region. The prime minister briefed his Canadian counterpart on the repercussions of the crisis in Syria on Jordan as a result of hosting thousands of Syrian refugees on its territory. Talks during the meeting also dealt with the latest developments in the region and efforts to achieve peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. Ensour stressed Jordan's support to efforts exerted by the United States to ensure the success of peace negotiations that should eventually lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Meanwhile, the ministers of interior, industry and trade, water and irrigation and acting planning minister held a meeting at the Prime Ministry with the delegation accompanying the Canadian prime minister and discussed ways to boost cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment, information technology, vocational training and energy.