Russia and Jordan agrees on energy deal and support to Palestine

Russia and Jordan agrees on energy deal and support to Palestine

2011-01-20 04:30:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN, JORDAN (BNO NEWS) -- Russia and Jordan on Wednesday reached an agreement on energy cooperation and reiterated support to Palestine, RIA Novosti reported.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman, Jordan. The visit was part of Medvedev 's tour in the Middle East. On Tuesday, he met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Jericho.

During talks, Russian and Jordanian Energy Ministers signed a memorandum of understanding allowing for the exploration of the Jordanian vast oil fields by Russian firms.

In addition, Medvedev reiterated Russia's endorsement of an independent Palestinian state. One day before, the Russian leader told Abbas that his country will continue supporting an independent Palestinian state as it has done since 1988.

The final goal is the creation of a modern independent Palestinian state with the capital in East Jerusalem," Medvedev told King Abdullah II. "I told our Palestinian partners about this."

King Abdullah II responded by saying that the establishment of an independent state for the Palestinian people is vitally important to achieve stability in the Gaza Strip as well as in the Middle East region.

The two leaders vowed to increase bilateral cooperation in the near future. King Abdullah remarked that he intends to step up energy cooperation with Russia. Jordan is currently planning the construction of its first nuclear plant.

Medvedev's aide Sergei Prikhodko said on Monday that Russia is extremely interested in getting involved in Jordan's nuclear plant project. Russia and Jordan signed a 10-year nuclear cooperation agreement in 2009.

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