Jordan Times
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Jordan to take part in Euromed
meeting
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday told resident EU
ambassadors that Jordan fully supported the Barcelona Process and would be
sending a high level delegation to the Euromed foreign ministers meeting in
Luxembourg in May.
The Barcelona Process, now entering its second decade, was launched in the
Spanish city in 1995. It seeks to boost ties between the EU and Algeria, Egypt,
Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and
Turkey.
At his meeting with Europe's envoys to the Kingdom, the Monarch also highlighted
Jordan's push for reforms, stressing that preparations for both the National
Agenda and the decentralisation plan incorporate the gamut of reforms that set
the guidelines of the country's governance.
King Abdullah and the ambassadors also discussed Jordan's partnership with their
respective countries and how cooperation in economic, political and cultural
fields could be enhanced.
The Monarch also reviewed the Kingdom's stand on developments in the Middle
East, particularly on the Palestinian and Iraqi fronts. In addition, he spoke
about the EU role in promoting the peace process and achieving security and
stability in the region. Royal Court Minister Marwan Muasher and Foreign
Minister Farouq Qasrawi attended yesterday's meeting, held at the Royal Court.
Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah said he was satisfied with measures taken by
the Orthodox Patriarchate in line with an agreement with Jordan to cancel
contracts of selling church properties.
The King told Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Irineos I that Jordan will
continue its support for the church and the patriarch.
At a meeting, attended by HRH Prince Ghazi, the King's private adviser and
personal envoy, King Abdullah said Jordan was keen to safeguard properties of
the church.