Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
King, Sarkozy say talks only way to Mideast peace
PARIS (Petra) - Jordan and France on Monday said
that Israeli-Palestinian talks leading to a Palestinian state are the only way
to Middle East peace.
At a meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah and French President Nicolas
Sarkozy and in statements to the press following the talks, the two leaders also
renewed support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his government's
efforts to restore order.
King Abdullah, who returned home later Monday, described the recent meetings
between Palestinian and Israeli leaders as "encouraging", expressing hope for
serious efforts to build confidence between the two sides and make substantial
changes in the status quo.
The Monarch called for a more active role by France, saying the credibility the
EU country enjoys in the Middle East enables it to help the Palestinians and
Israelis take necessary steps ahead of the US-proposed international Mideast
peace conference, expected in the fall. The conference, the King said, would
yield tangible results if the two conflicting parties make the right moves.
Sarkozy said he appreciated the King's efforts to realise stability in the
Middle East, adding that France will work to support these efforts and help
bring closer the viewpoints of the Palestinians and Israelis.
Le Monde interview
Meanwhile, the King told Le Monde daily that Israel cannot live forever with the
“fortress mentality”, and that it has to choose now between such a way of life
and integration in the region.
He reiterated the need to seize the opportunity of the peace conference, saying
that a US intervention is essential for Mideast peace.
“Whether we like it or not, US intervention is needed when it comes to Israel
and the peace process.”
If a new administration takes over in Washington after the 2008 elections, he
said, “we may need to wait for a long time before the US can intervene anew” in
the peace process.
The Monarch told the paper that he felt comfortable with the way Sarkozy views
the Middle East issues.
On Lebanon, the King and the French president stressed the importance of
preserving the independence and sovereignty of the country.
King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's commitment to help restore security, stability
and unity in Iraq and support efforts seeking to realise national
reconciliation.
Bilateral ties
Monday’s talks in Paris also covered bilateral ties.
The King and Sarkozy discussed Jordan's debt to the Paris Club and the Kingdom's
request to purchase debts it owes to the club's member states at lower prices.
The French president said France supports this request.
He also pledged help to Jordan in its efforts to acquire nuclear technology for
power generation purposes. In this regard, a French team will visit the Kingdom
soon to discuss several aspects of the issue, Sarkozy announced.
The two leaders agreed to exchange visits between Jordanian and French officials
to promote the investments and trade between the two countries.
During his visit to France, King Abdullah met with French Prime Minister
Francois Fillon and French Minister of Defence Hervé Morin and discussed means
to develop bilateral ties in economic, commercial, investment and military
fields.
The King and Fillon reviewed efforts to enhance security and bring about
stability in the Middle East, and the French and Jordanian role in helping
parties concerned with the peace process to move forward.
Also yesterday, King Abdullah received at his residence in Paris former French
president Jacques Chirac. During the meeting, the Monarch voiced appreciation
for Chirac's support for Jordan at the political and economic levels, especially
in the field of swapping debts with investments during his presidency.