Dec 15, 2006, 20:11 GMT
Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania are to pay a state visit to Japan starting December 20 at the invitation of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, the Jordanian royal court announced Friday.
King Abdullah is due to have talks with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Taro Aso that are expected to focus on means of 'reactivating the Middle East peace process and restoring stability to Iraq', a royal court statement said.
The statement praised 'Japan's active role in efforts aimed at the establishment of just, durable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions and the establishment of a Palestinian state'.
'Japan also contributes actively to Iraq's reconstruction efforts and humanitarian services that badly needed by the Iraqi people,' the statement said.
King Abdullah is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the Japanese Institute for International Affairs to a large audience of politicians, economists and intellectuals, the statement said.
The monarch's activities during the visit also include a meeting with leaders of the Japanese business community to 'update them on the characteristics of the investment climate in Jordan and the performance of the Jordanian economy'.
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