Jordan, US discuss security cooperation 

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) Jordan and the US on Tuesday examined means to enhance cooperation in security and efforts to combat human trafficking.

His Majesty King Abdullah and several senior officials met with US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who began a two-day visit to the Kingdom on Tuesday.

During a meeting with the US secretary, Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh welcomed cooperation between Jordan and the US in civil aviation security, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

According to a US embassy statement, Napolitano will sign a memorandum of cooperation between the US Transportation Security Administration and the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission during her visit.

The memorandum will facilitate the exchange of information and technical assistance between the two countries to strengthen aviation security, the statement said.

During the meeting, which was also attended by US Ambassador to Jordan Stuart E. Jones, Tarawneh highlighted the economic conditions in Jordan and the government's efforts to address imbalances in the state budget.

Tarawneh also briefed the US official on the regional situation and the impact on Jordan, highlighting the waves of refugees that the country has had to deal with throughout the past years.

Tarawneh said the Kingdom is dealing with the situation in Syria in a manner that safeguards Jordan's interests, voicing hope that the Syrian people will be able to resolve the crisis.

Napolitano expressed the US' pride in its friendship with Jordan, lauding the Kingdom's security and recent constitutional amendments that boost the country's drive towards political reform, Petra reported.

King Abdullah discussed the latest regional developments with Napolitano and ways to strengthen Jordanian-US relations, a Royal Court statement said.

The US official also met separately with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben.

Judeh and Napolitano discussed cooperation in combating human trafficking and smuggling. The US official commended Jordan's commitment to safeguarding its borders with all neighbouring countries.

Zaben and the US secretary examined means to enhance defence cooperation.