Jordan Times
Monday, September 3, 2007
Time factor crucial for peace - King AMMAN (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday called on the EU to help prepare the stage for an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as an international conference on the issue is approaching.
At a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, the King called for a more active Italian and European role in supporting Arab and international efforts to help resume Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.
He stressed that the time factor is crucial with the approaching US-proposed international Mideast peace conference, expected in November.
He told Prodi, who concluded a two-day visit to the Kingdom yesterday, that the remaining time for the meeting should be used to bring closer the viewpoints of both the Palestinians and Israelis.
King Abdullah reiterated that the creation of an independent Palestinian state that lives in peace side-by-side with Israel is the basis for a solution to decades of conflict in the region.
The EU, he said, can contribute to peace efforts by supporting the Palestinian Authority’s endeavours to alleviate the difficult living conditions of the Palestinians and ease their humanitarian and economic suffering.
Prodi, for his part, highlighted Italy’s stand towards the peace process and efforts Rome exerts along with the EU countries to reactivate the peace process.
Talks between King Abdullah and Prodi also covered the situation in Iraq. The two sides renewed their keenness to help the Iraqis break the cycle of violence.
On Lebanon, the Monarch and Prodi stressed their support for efforts seeking to preserve this Arab country’s security, stability and unity.
During a lunch banquet, the King held in honour of Prodi and the accompanying delegation, the Monarch and the Italian prime minister also discussed bilateral ties and ways to boost them.
They called on businesspeople in both countries to work for a larger trade volume.
King Abdullah voiced appreciation for the support Italy extends to help Jordan implement development projects.
Later in the day, the King arrived in Paris for a two-day visit, during which he will meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy on the French and EU role in the Middle East peace process. The two leaders will also review bilateral ties.
The Monarch is scheduled to meet business leaders from French Companies Movement (Mouvement des Entreprises de France - MEDEF), the leading entrepreneurs’ organisation in France that includes over 750,000 businesses of all sizes from all sectors.
He will encourage top executives to cooperate with Jordan’s private sector to establish more French ventures in the Kingdom, which already top non-Arab incoming investments.