Sisi's visit has important indications after Pompeo's Mideast tour: Jordanian Parl't

CAIRO – 14 January 2019: Mahmoud al-Kharabsheh, head of Jordanian Parliament's defense and national security committee, welcomed Egypt's President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi's visit to Jordan, considering it as very important at this particular time.

In an interview with DMC's "al-Youm" program on Sunday, Kharabsheh said that Egypt and Jordan play a pivotal regional role to face various challenges and dangers the region witnesses. He added that Sisi's visit has important indications as it comes following the visit of Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, to some Middle East countries, including Jordan and Egypt.

Kharabshed also pointed out to the importance of this visit to discuss the situation in Syria, Yemen and Libya, as well as to exchange views between the two countries and enhance bilateral relations in various political, economic and social fields.

He said that there are cooperative relations between the two countries at various levels, especially the cooperation and exchange of expertise between the Egyptian and Jordanian armed forces in light of the sufficient experience both armies have in fighting terrorism.

President Sisi held an official visit to Jordan on Sunday during which he held talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

During the visit, the two sides discussed ways to enhance Egyptian-Jordanian relations in various fields and also reviewed the latest developments in regional issues, especially the Palestinian cause.

The Egyptian president and King Abdullah II of Jordan met numerous times since the former took post as president in 2014. Most of the visits were focused on discussing the Palestinian cause and other regional issues.

The first meeting was held on June 8, 2014 during the inaugural of Sisi at al-Itthadia Presidential Palace in the presence of a number states' leaders. The second meeting was in November of the same year during an official visit of the king to Egypt.

The third meeting was held in December 2014 in the Hashemite capital, Amman, to be the first visit of Sisi to Jordan as president.

During Sisi's second year as president, he continued his intensive efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Egypt and Jordan in various political and economic fields and in consultation on various regional and Arab issues, as evidenced by the increasing number of meetings between leaders of the two countries and mutual visits.

On February 26, 2015, Sisi received his Jordanian counterpart during the king's official visit to Egypt to develop relations and promote joint cooperation between the two countries.

In March, King Abdullah II arrived in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh on the sidelines of Egypt Economic Development Conference.

Sisi visited Jordan on May 23 to participate in the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa. He discussed with the Jordanian king coordination in the fight against terrorism. In August, they concluded their meetings in 2015, when King Abdullah II visited Egypt on the sidelines of the opening of the new Suez Canal.

Despite the success of the Egyptian diplomacy in consolidating relations with the Jordanian side, 2016 saw one meeting between the leaders of the two countries. The meeting was in August during the king's official visit to Egypt; it focused on consultation on international issues of common concern.

In 2017, Sisi and the Jordanian monarch held three meetings; the first during a bilateral summit held in Egypt on February 21 to discuss the Arabic stance after US President Donald Trump announced relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the second was on March 29 on the sidelines of the 28th session of the Arab summit held at the Dead Sea.

The third meeting was held on May 17 during an official visit of the king to Egypt. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in Syria and Palestine and efforts to combat terrorism.

The first meeting in 2018 was on May 23, when Sisi received the king of Jordan to review efforts to reach a political settlement to the Palestinian cause.