Official visit from Jordan - December 20, 2006

[Humera]

King, Queen Visit Japan This Month

Amman, Dec. 15 (Petra) -- Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah will start official visit for Japan on December 20 during which they will meet with the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Petra

Jordan's royals to visit Japan December 20

Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania are to pay a state visit to Japan starting December 20 at the invitation of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, the Jordanian royal court announced Friday. Link

[dazzling]

this would be an intresting visit, id like to see what queen rania will pull off wardrobe wise. is this a state visit ?

[Humera]

one of the article mentions it is a state visit, the Petra article just says its an official one so I cant be too sure.
King Abdullah and Queen Rania's paid a state visit to Japan seven years ago (december 1999) , which, i believe, was 5 days long.
There aren't that many pictures from that visit so Im hoping this one will be different.

[carlota]

i must say i'm impressed by all the visits their majesties are doing all around the world lately: britain, japan, india, the netherlands and even received the spanish royals in jordan in only months. they travelled to so many places in such a small period of time. really good for them!

[sara1981]

im hope CP couple will attend also

[Humera]

An article with more details on the visit:

King, Queen to visit Japan

Amman, 15/12/2006, (Communication & Information Division - Royal Hashemite Court) -- Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania will visit Japan this week, where they will meet with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

During the December 20 visit, the King will also hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Aso Taro on ways to boost cooperation between the two countries and discuss recent developments in the Middle East. King Abdullah.jo

[lil Monkey]

Wow can't wait, we will defintely see Rayah, which is great! can't waaaiiiit :)

[asturiana]

King and Queen Start Japan Visit (Petra)

Amman, Dec.20(Petra)—Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania left Amman on Wednesday morning heading to Japan in an official visit during which they will meet with the Japanese Emperor and the Empress.

http://petra.gov.jo/nepras/2006/Dec/20/22000.htm


First pictures (Gettyimages)

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...%7c0&p=7&tag=2

[mandyy]

Photos from AP via Yahoo

[Humera]

Arrival pictures from Petra:
Photo 1
Photo 2


King Abdullah urges renewed peace talks

King Abdullah of Jordan, speaking in an exclusive interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, stressed the need to relaunch the Middle East peace process and pledged continued support to the administration of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to stabilize the Iraqi situation.
King Abdullah, who will visit Japan from Wednesday, expressed hope that Japan will play a "vital role" in Middle East affairs because it is "the strongest donor socially and economically" for the region.
Following are excerpts from the interview held at the king's residence in Amman. Yomiuri Shimbun

[salma]

Finally it´s official visit or state visit?

[fanletizia]

More from anp

http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?p...4267194&pos=13
http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?p...4267211&pos=12
http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?p...4267193&pos=14
http://www.anp-photo.com/search.pp?p...4267038&pos=17

[Adamari]

This is an official visit, not a state visit. I can tell by the lack of ceremony when they arrived at the airport, for one. The Jordanian royal couple made a state visit to Japan in 1999, not long after coming to the throne. In the West, it is customary for a head of state to make only one state visit to a country during their time in office or on the throne. The few times I've seen a state visit by the same person to the same country, it has been two or three decades after the first one, the countries have a very special relationship (such as the Scandinavia kingdoms) or there's a special reason for the state visit (such as the centennial of Norway's independence, when King Harald visited Queen Elizabeth II a second time in a decade or so).

If this had been a state visit, Abdullah and Rania would have done more today than just arrive at the airport. They would have had a very busy day, from the formal welcoming ceremony in the morning to various engagements in the afternoon to a gala dinner in the evening. The second day would look much the same, with public engagements and a return dinner. Then more engagements the third day before leaving. In essence, their visit would have looked a lot like their state visit to the Netherlands in November.

[salma]

Thank´s Adamari.

[iceflower]

Jordan's King Abdullah II (R), accompanied by his wife Queen Rania (L), arrives at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, 20 December 2006. King Abdullah II is on a three-day visit to hold his first talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe since the Japanese leader took office in September. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI

Leaving the plane
Queen Rania
Shaking hands
For more click here!

[Little_star]

Wow! I guess I've been out of the loop, I didn't realise they were going to Japan. Does anybody know if their itinerary is available and what events they will be attending?

[Humera]

This handout picture taken 21 December 2006 shows visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II (2nd R) and his wife Queen Rania (L) being greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito (2nd L) and Empress Michiko (R) for their dinner upon their arrival at the Imperial residence in Tokyo.

Photo 1
Photo 2

[Little_star]

King Abdullah meets with Japanese economic experts
LINK

King Abdullah meets Japanese Foreign Minister
LINK

[linda85]

This couple is sure getting around this year!! Busy indeed.!!!

[iceflower]

Jordanian Queen Rania (L) and Princess Iman dressed in kimono hold wooden battledores or hagoita as they visit Sodo Kimono Academy in Tokyo, 22 December 2006. Queen Rania is accompanying her husband King Abdullah II on a three-day visit to Japan. /Tatsuyuki Tayama /POOL

Pic 1
Pic 2
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Pic 4