Jordan Times
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
King visits Spain on EU tour
MADRID (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah and Spain's King Juan Carlos on
Tuesday held talks here on the latest developments in the Middle East and
bilateral relations.
During the meeting, King Abdullah underlined the role of Spain and the EU in
supporting efforts to revive the peace process and solve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, noting that such an assistance was needed under the current critical
circumstances.
The King reviewed Jordan's efforts with the international community to help the
Palestinians and the Israelis accelerate the implementation of the roadmap to
the Middle East peace process. King Abdullah, meanwhile, met separately with
Spain's Lower House Speaker Manuel Marin Gonzales and Senate President Francisco
Javier Rojo Garcia.
During the talks, the King stressed that the road to Mideast peace was obvious,
highlighting the need to help the Palestinians and the Israelis seize the
opportunities currently available to resume negotiations, address their problems
and establish a viable Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with Israel.
King Abdullah added that the recent Sharm El Sheikh summit, the declaration of a
ceasefire between the two sides and the release of Palestinian prisoners were
important steps that should be built on to achieve the envisioned peace.
On Iraq, King Abdullah hoped that efforts will continue to restore security and
stability in the conflict-hit country and guarantee its people a better future.
He said Iraqis should be empowered to rebuild their country, reiterating the
need for all the spectra in the country to draw up a bright future.
Talks between the two leaders also covered ways to bolster bilateral ties in all
fields.
Citing the success of the Spanish experiment in political development, King
Abdullah called for an exchange of expertise between the two countries.
The two parliamentarians said they were keen on developing ties between
legislatures in both countries, commending Jordan's reform plans and regional
peace efforts.
Later, King Abdullah and the Spanish monarch attended a Champions League match
at the Santiago-Bernabeu Stadium between Real Madrid and Juventus.
King Abdullah arrived in Madrid earlier Tuesday on a several-day European tour
of Spain, France, UK and Germany.
He is to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
During the tour, King Abdullah is expected to hold talks with French President
Jacques Chirac, President of the French National Assembly Jean-Louis Debre,
British Premier Tony Blair and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.