KUALA LUMPUR: King Abdullah II of Jordan has called for stronger defence cooperation between Jordan and Malaysia, including in military technology, drone and counter-drone warfare, as both countries seek to adapt to evolving security challenges.
His Majesty said Malaysia's capabilities in industry, intelligence and talent development could complement Jordan's efforts to modernise its armed forces, opening up opportunities for a new chapter in defence ties between the two countries.
"I do believe that the industry and the intelligence and the young talent that you have in Malaysia are complementary to what we are doing in massive changes of our armed forces and especially moving into drone and counter-drone warfare," he said.
King Abdullah II said this after meeting with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at Istana Negara here on Monday (Oct 12), in conjunction with Jordan's King two-day state visit to Malaysia beginning Sunday.
King Abdullah II also highlighted the longstanding intelligence relationship between the two countries, expressing hope that both sides could further strengthen cooperation in this area.
The Jordanian monarch said the changing dynamics of warfare, including lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and developments in their respective regions, underscored the importance of closer collaboration in defence technology.
He also called for renewed engagement between the two countries' business sectors, saying exchanges and visits could help identify opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly amid shifts in global trade routes, supply chains and economic partnerships.
On economic ties, King Abdullah II welcomed opportunities to expand cooperation in areas including palm oil, Malaysia's halal industry and education.
He said both countries could benefit from greater exchanges in education and innovation to prepare younger generations for emerging technologies.
King Abdullah II also expressed hope that Sultan Ibrahim and the Malaysian government would visit Jordan in the coming months to strengthen bilateral relations and explore further areas of cooperation.
On regional developments, he said Jordan and Malaysia shared similar positions on the Palestinian issue, including support for a two-state solution.
He called for an end to Israel's violations across the region, including in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and its attempts to undermine the historic and legal status quo of the holy sites.
He also stressed that the sovereignty and security of Lebanon and Syria must be respected, urging the international community to prevent further escalation and the widening of the conflict.
King Abdullah II said both countries could work more closely to address regional challenges and advance peace and security. - Bernama
