Jordan Times
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
King says EU role key to
stability in Middle East
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah and Irish President Mary McAleese
discussed here means to boost bilateral ties, focusing on cooperation in the
economic, education and IT fields.
The two leaders also held talks on Middle East issues and efforts to push
forward the peace process in the region.
The King highlighted the key role of the EU in achieving stability in the
region, reiterating that the international community should continue its support
for the Palestinian Authority.
McAleese was in Jordan upon an invitation by the King, who along with Her
Majesty Queen Rania visited Ireland in March 2004.
Two years ago, Jordan and Ireland signed an agreement on cooperation in IT and
communications development.
Meanwhile, McAleese held talks with Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and Cabinet
members on bilateral ties.
The president commended the level of cooperation between Jordan and Ireland as
well as the Kingdom's efforts to help achieve peace and stability in the region.
Also yesterday, King Abdullah met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter
Steinmeier.
During the meeting, the King said the future of the peace process in the Middle
East largely depends on the results of next month's Israeli elections and a
clear programme of the coming Palestinian government.
Steinmeier was in Jordan as part of a tour that took him to Israel, the
Palestinian territories and Turkey.
During the meeting, the Monarch said the European Union, including Germany,
should continue its support for the Palestinians and help revive their economic
situation.
The King, meanwhile, reiterated his condemnation and rejection of the recently
published insulting cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad. He added that Muslims
around the world should express their anger in “a civilised manner.”
Both sides also discussed the Iraqi situation, saying that the international
community should back the political process in the violence-hit country to help
restore stability.
On bilateral ties, King Abdullah and the German minister said it was important
to speed up the establishment of the Jordanian German University of Applied
Sciences, which the King described as a pioneering step.