King Abdullah to hold talks with France’s Hollande

King Abdullah arrived in Paris on Monday to start an official visit, where he will hold talks with French President Francois Hollande. Talks will focus on developing bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East, a Royal Court statement said. The King is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone to discuss topics of mutual interest. His Majesty will also meet a number of French officials and political, economic and intellectual figures, the statement said. Agence France-Presse quoted Bernard Valero, French foreign ministry spokesperson, as saying that the King’s talks with Hollande will focus on Jordanian-French ties and common interests. Valero stressed that France and Jordan see eye to eye on several regional and international issues, noting that Paris follows the reforms undertaken in the Kingdom through the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition, AFP reported. The partnership was launched by the G-8 countries in 2011 to assist Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Jordan as they pass through democratic transformation. HRH Prince Feisal was sworn in as Regent on Monday, the Royal Court statement said.