President Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah II of Jordan discuss Gaza crisis in Abu Dhabi

President Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah II of Jordan held talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The two leaders stressed the need to prevent a “new spiral of violence” in the region as the Israel-Gaza war rages on. The discussions came during the Jordanian monarch's state visit to the Emirates. Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah called for urgent international action to stop the “dire escalation” of the conflict. King Abdullah underlined the importance of lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip and praised the UAE for its efforts to bring about an end to the war. Earlier, the UAE President welcomed King Abdullah at an official reception at Qasr Al Watan. The visiting monarch – who arrived in the Emirates on Tuesday evening – was welcomed by a cavalcade of horsemen in the palace courtyard to mark his state visit. The national anthems of both nations were played, followed by a 21-gun salute in his honour. The UAE's aerial display team, Al Fursan, had earlier taken to the skies in formation to create an aerial image of the Jordanian flag. Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE and Jordan were committed to solidifying regional co-operation. “I was pleased to receive King Abdullah of Jordan to discuss the deep-rooted and historic bonds between our nations,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Through robust economic partnership and people-to-people engagement, the UAE and Jordan remain united in joint efforts to fortify regional co-operation, development, and stability.” Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah witnessed the signing of agreements worth $6 billion between the countries during the state visit. The deals struck included a partnership between Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company and the Jordan Investment Fund, and a grant from the UAE government to finance development projects in Jordan. The agreements were made by the Mohammed Al Suwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Zeina Toukan, Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Co-operation. The King of Jordan wrote a message in the palace guestbook, emphasising the strength of the relations that bind the two nations and expressing mutual eagerness to consolidate these ties. He also extended his wishes to the UAE for further progress. Sheikh Mohamed also presented King Abdullah with the Order of Zayed, the highest decoration awarded by the UAE to heads of states, royalty and presidents. The accolade recognises King Abdullah's dedicated efforts to strengthen the deep ties between the two nations, as well as his contributions to the growth of the relationship. During the ceremony, King Abdullah thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the honour, named after the late Sheikh Zayed who was revered worldwide for his humanitarian efforts. Sheikh Mohamed said the decoration reflects his respect, personal admiration and high esteem for King Abudullah's outstanding efforts to bolster ties. The reception was attended by several Emirati ministers, sheikhs and officials, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President-designate. King Abdullah is joined on his visit by Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince of Jordan. The Jordanian delegation includes Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh and Ayman Al Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as other ministers and senior officials. Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah last met in August during the UAE leader's official visit to Amman, where the two men discussed several regional and international developments in a meeting at Basman Palace. The king last visited the Emirates in April, when Sheikh Mohamed hosted an iftar ahead of the Eid holiday.

President Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah II of Jordan discuss Gaza crisis in Abu Dhabi

UAE and Jordan strike deals worth $6 billion as part of state visit