His Majesty King Abdullah II received German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Al Husseiniya Palace on Thursday.

The meeting was also attended by Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, PM Omar Razzaz, Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Safadi.

On the other side, the German Federal Minister of Defence, Ursula von der Leyen, and German business leaders were also part of the German delegation.

The meeting addressed a number of bilateral and regional issues including the economic difficulties facing Jordan, Syrian refugees, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Iran’s interference.

His Majesty told reporters after the one-on-one meeting that the two countries were able to turn stress into strength in the past few years, thanking Germany’s generous support to Jordan.

The King praised Germany for its leading role in the EU and the world. His Majesty also commended the chance German business leaders that they have to explore investment opportunities in Jordan, asserting that the two countries must utilise the preferential rules of origin that the EU applies to Jordan.

“We also look to Germany as a leader in the European Union and on the international stage to support peace efforts in the Middle East,” the King stated

The King reiterated Jordan’s position on the Palestinian issue and insisted that “There can be no peace, no stability in the region without a just and lasting solution that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital living side by side with Israel in peace and security.”

He added that Jordan will continue protecting Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem based on the Hashemite Custodianship.

Finally His Majesty affirmed that the two countries see eye to eye on the subject of Syria, especially on keeping the country’s territorial integrity.

During her remarks, the Chancellor agreed that the two countries have intensified relations and that Germany acknowledged the security challenges facing Jordan and the increased spending on security. "We are aware of the challenges you face, both in the realm of security and in civil society development," Merkel said

The Chancellor commended the new Cabinet and their ambitious goals for economic reform but warned that their ambitious goals will take time until coming to fruition.

She said she hopes the additional funds will help Jordan carry out economic reforms encouraged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and stated that in addition to the €384 million Germany has already extended to Jordan, the country will offer a $100 million loan.

Merkel expressed her gratefulness to Jordan for hosting Syrian refugees and admitted that the country hosts over 200,000 Syrian children in public schools and asserted that the aspirations for both refugees and local communities must receive support.

On Iran, the German leader insisted that the country would adhere to the JCPOA Agreement but rejected Iran’s interference in Yemen and Syria, advocating for measures to counter Tehran's "aggressive tendencies" in the Middle East.

Her meeting with the King came after she met with students at the German Jordanian University (GJU), expressing her happiness to see their enthusiasm and passion.

Merkel thanked Jordan for the hospitable stay of German soldiers, stationed as part of the International Coalition to Combat ISIS, and disclosed she will later visit them, before heading to Lebanon.