Jordan, Egypt conclude talks, sign 9 deals

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour returned home on Tuesday at the end of an official two-day visit to Cairo and talks with interim Egyptian President Adly Mansour, Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi and Defence Minister and Armed Forces Chief Abdul Fattah Sisi. Ensour and his Egyptian counterpart also led a meeting of the Joint Jordanian-Egyptian Committee which culminated in the signing of nine agreements, memos of understanding and executive protocols to regulate bilateral cooperation in a host of spheres. The two premiers held a joint press conference wrapping up the discussions and detailing the outcome of the committee meetings. Earlier, Ensour and Beblawi chaired the 24th session of the Joint Jordanian-Egyptian Committee which explored means to advance economic ties between Egypt and Jordan. Beblawi hailed Jordan's position in support of the Egyptian people's choices, noting that His Majesty King Abdullah II was the first leader to visit Egypt after the June 30 revolution. During a meeting with Interim President Adli Mansour, Ensour stressed that Jordan stands by Egypt in such circumstances and support the choices of the Egyptian people. Mansour voiced Egypt's keenness to develop and cement its relations with the Jordan in political, economic, cultural and social domains. The meeting discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly the Palestinian issue and the Syrian crisis. The two sides stressed the need to reach a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. They also called for finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis. The prime minister also met with First Deputy Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and discussed with him bilateral relations and ways of enhancing joint cooperation in all fields . Al-Sisi commended Jordan for its support to Egypt in the current "sensitive" circumstances it is going through and said the two countries enjoy solid relationship.