Armenian President Armen Sarkissian told visiting King of Jordan Abdullah II of Jordan that his visit to Armenia is “historic and significant.”

The two met today at the Presidential Palace in Yerevan.

This is the first visit of the Jordanian king to Armenia.

“Our two nations are ancient. Your nation represents the essence and axis of Islam; You, Your Majesty, as well as Your family, are descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Armenia, as a country which was the first to adopt Christianity, not only has good relations with Jordan but we two have a lot to tell each other,” Sarkissian said according to a statement released by his office.

President Sarkissian expressed confidence that the two countries could, in the future, reach their fill potential in terms of cooperation.

The King of Jordan Abdullah II said that the two countries are linked by good friendship and history. 

“We have great reverence towards the oldest Christian Church which is represented not only in Jerusalem but in our country too. It represents part of our past and is a beautiful element not only of our present but also of our future,” he said.

At the meeting, Sarkissian broached the matter of a visa free regime for the citizens of Armenia travelling to Jordan and the signing of an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.

The two sides noted that great opportunities exist for cooperation in the areas of high-tech, education, science, and healthcare, and stressed the importance of establishing a direct air link between Yerevan and Amman.