Riyadh,  SPA:

 Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, received at Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Hani Al-Mulki on the occasion of holding first meeting of the Saudi-Jordanian Coordination Council.

Following the meeting, a joint statement on the meeting was issued:

 As an extension to the historical and strong relations binding the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and his brother, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and according to what have been agreed upon in the minutes of the establishment of the Saudi-Jordanian Coordination Council in Riyadh on Wednesday, 20/7/1437H corresponding to 27/04/2016, the Council held its first meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday, 18/1/1438H corresponding to 19/10/2016, under co-chairmanship of the Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, who is also head of the Saudi side in the Council, and Jordanian Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Hani Al-Mulki, who is also head of the Jordanian side in the Council.

 During the meeting, they discussed distinguished bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries in various fields. They also discussed aspects of cooperation in the fields in accordance with the joint statement issued on Monday,4/7/1437H, corresponding to 11/1/2016. The Council stressed keenness on developing them in order to achieve the aspirations of leadership and serve the common interests of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples. The meeting included:

 1- Signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Public Investment Fund and the Authority of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (AZESA) for establishment of a development investment project in Aqaba, a convention for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income between the two countries, a memorandum of understanding for industrial cooperation between the two countries and an executive program for cooperation between the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation and Jordan Radio and Television Corporation.

2 - Briefing on a decision of Public Investment Fund in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the memorandum of understanding in the field of investment promotion signed in Amman on Thursday, 22/11/1437H corresponding to 25/08/2016 requiring establishment of an investment company in the economic projects in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and to be registered in accordance with Jordan Investment Law with participation of Jordanian banks and financial institutions in line with what is mentioned in the memorandum of the provisions in the interest of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples. The two sides agreed to complete all relevant procedures regarding registration of all investment company as soon as possible.

 3 - The two sides agreed on a continuation of works of the preparatory committee of the Saudi-Jordanian Coordination Council and completion of other draft agreements, particularly in the fields of electrical connection, nuclear energy, mining, investment promotion, military cooperation, including the military industries, in order to be submitted to the council for taking required procedures in order to be signed during a visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

 4- The two sides stressed importance of continuation of cooperation between the two countries.

 At a conclusion of the meeting, Jordanian Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Hani Al-Mulki expressed thanks for a warm hospitality and good reception during his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 The second meeting of the council will be held in Jordan.