Crown Prince Hussein, Queen Rania, King Abdullah II, President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden – Picture by Royal Hashemite Court.
19-23 July 2021, Washington D.C., USA: US President Joe Biden welcomed on Monday, 19 July, His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for a bilateral summit meeting at the White House. The summit covered expanding the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, and regional and international developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause.
President Biden was proud to announce the delivery of over 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Jordan, underscoring the U.S. commitment to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home.
The heads of state and government, discussed pressing economic challenges exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, both at home and across the globe. They focused on the benefits of investing in infrastructure, and discussed the President’s infrastructure plan as well as Jordan’s plans for a desalination project and Jordan’s potential for greater regional economic integration through investments in energy infrastructure.
The leaders also consulted upon opportunities to enhance peace and stability in the Middle East.
In that regard, President Biden expressed his strong support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and respect for Jordan’s special role as Custodian of Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. The President expressed U.S. support for engagement between Jordan and the new Israeli Government, as demonstrated by their bilateral agreement earlier this month to improve Jordan’s access to fresh water and increase Jordan’s exports to the West Bank.
King Abdullah II and President Biden reflected on the strategic U.S.-Jordan defence relationship. They discussed U.S. support for the modernization of Jordan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, which will allow for greater interoperability and effectiveness of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador in the U.S.A., Dina Kawar attended the meeting.
During the official visit to Washington D.C., the Jordanian delegation headed by King Abdullah II likewise encountered U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan; U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power; US Vice President Kamala Harris; Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin; Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas; State Secretary Antony Blinken; Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen; the Senate leadership; the House of Representatives’ Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and others.
For further information
Royal Hashemite Court: https://www.kingabdullah.jo/en/news/king-us-president-hold-summit-meeting-white-house
The White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/19/readout-of-president-joseph-r-biden-jr-meeting-with-king-abdullah-ii-of-jordan/
Interview of HM King Abdullah II with CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/07/25/exp-gps-0725-king-abdullah-biden-middle-east.cnn
