His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday held talks with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh that focused on bilateral cooperation and efforts to enhance Arab solidarity to confront current challenges.

During the meeting, King Abdullah and President Saleh reviewed prospects to activate economic, commercial and investment cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of health and agriculture, stressing the importance of the Joint Jordanian-Yemeni Higher Committee, which will meet in Sanaa in September, in taking tangible steps to increase cooperation.

King Abdullah and the Yemeni president also reviewed recent developments in the region, particularly efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state in accordance with a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and in accordance with international agreements and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The two leaders also stressed the need for Arab solidarity and unified Arab position to meet the challenges at hand.

Discussions also highlighted the importance of enhancing efforts to combat terrorism and related crimes, which threaten the security and interests of all countries. The King underlined Jordan's support for Yemen's efforts to maintain security and stability.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Samir Rifai, Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, King's Adviser on Tribal Affairs Sharif Fawaz Zaben, King's Adviser Ayman Safadi, Health Minister Nayef Fayez and Jordan's Ambassador to Yemen Ahmad Jaradat. Saleh was accompanied by Yemen's Minister of Public Health and Population Abdul Karim Yehia Rasae, Minister of Fisheries Wealth Mohammad Shamlan, and members of the Yemeni parliament and the shura council in addition to other senior government officials.