(JNS) Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled to Jordan on Wednesday, January 5 to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah.

The two discussed security and policy topics, and Gantz highlighted the strategic importance of the relationship between the two countries, according to a statement from his office.

“I met today with the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, and thanked him for his efforts to maintain stability in the region and to strengthen peace and normalization,” Gantz tweeted. “I welcome the deepening of strategic relations with Jordan in the current government, and I will continue to work to strengthen peace between the two countries.”

Abdullah reiterated the need to maintain calm in the Palestinian Authority, and to “take the necessary measures to create the horizon needed to achieve just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution,” according to the Jordan News Agency.