Jordan Times
Monday, May 22, 2006
Jordan, Kuwait call for resuming peace talks, aid to Palestinians
KUWAIT (Petra) — Jordan and Kuwait on Sunday
called for the resumption of the Middle East peace process and urged the
international community to continue aiding the Palestinians.
King Abdullah and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah said at a Dar Al
Salwa meeting here dialogue and negotiations should lead to the implementation
of the roadmap and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The King and the emir added that Palestinians need help to survive their
difficult situation and urged them to unite and overcome their differences.
They also discussed the situation in Iraq. King Abdullah said the formation of
the new Iraqi government was a significant step in the right direction.
Talks between the two leaders included means to enhance bilateral relations.
King Abdullah and Sheikh Sabah agreed to continue cooperation, particularly on
economic ties. Sheikh Sabah hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the King and
Queen Rania, who returned later Sunday. It was the first visit by the King to
Kuwait after Sheikh Sabah was named emir earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit held talks with his Kuwaiti counterpart
Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah.
They discussed the activation of cooperation agreements and protocols signed
between the two countries.
The Kuwaiti private sector’s investments in the country stand now at $5 billion,
making the Gulf state the largest foreign investor in Jordan.
Last year, Jordanian exports to Kuwait reached $70 million, while the emirate’s
exports to the Kingdom stood at $61 million.
The Jordanian delegation included Bakhit, Director of the King’s Office Bassem
Awadallah, Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib and Director of the General
Intelligence Department Major General Mohammad Dahabi.
Two weeks ago, Bakhit visited Kuwait and delivered a letter from King Abdullah
to the Kuwaiti emir on bilateral relationship. The King also invited the emir to
visit Jordan.
Following the meetings, Khatib and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Mohammad Sabah
Al Sabah described the King’s talks with Sheikh Sabah as “important and
constructive.”