Jordan's king meets Yeltsin, says keen on ties with Russia

Apr 2, 2007, 13:43 GMT

Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday received former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who is currently on vacation in the country, according to an official statement.

'Discussions during the meeting covered relations between Jordan and Russia as well as latest political developments in the region and efforts underway to resume peace negotiations' between Israel and the Palestinians, the royal court said.

'The monarch reaffirmed Jordan's keenness on boosting bilateral cooperation with Russia in various fields,' it added.

Yeltsin, meanwhile, 'praised efforts being exerted by the king with the aim of re-establishing peace in the region', the statement said.

The former Russian leader also 'expressed admiration' for Jordan's ancient and tourist sites, particularly the baptism site of Jesus Christ on the east bank of River Jordan, where a Russian Orthodox Church was due to be built, according to the statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the site during a trip to Jordan in February and expressed desire fpr building a Russian church in the area, apparently to look after the growing number of Russian pilgrims who visit Jordan.