His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday held a series of meetings with leaders at New Zealand’s parliament on the prospect of opening new scopes for cooperation between the two countries in various fields in addition to the crises in the Middle East.

King Abdullah and House of Representatives Speaker, David Carter, discussed parliamentary ties and efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach as well as Jordan's position toward various regional issues and the burdens the Kingdom holds as a result of the Syrian refugee crisis.

Carter said Wellington appreciated the King’s relentless efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Middle East and wisely address the challenges facing the region and its people, pledging that his country would continue to build on the historic ties with Jordan.

His Majesty also met with the head and members of the parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and trade committee for a review of defence and security ties and the current challenges the Middle East is facing.

The committee’s chair Mark Mitchell said cementing ties with Jordan is of paramount importance, adding that the Kingdom is a key Middle Eastern country for its efforts to achieve regional security and stability.

In a separate meeting, the King and New Zealand Parliament opposition leader, Andrew Little, agreed on the need to enhance bilateral coordination and consultation on the various issues of common interest and the challenges facing the Middle East and the world.