Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Mideast in critical period — King
Agencies
His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday returned home after a several-hour visit to
Ankara, where he discussed with Turkish leaders Middle East issues and bilateral
ties.
During a meeting, King Abdullah and Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer called
for resuming the peace process after Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,
the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said.
In remarks to the press after the talks, the King said the Middle East was
passing through a "critical period," the Anatolia news agency reported, quoted
by Agence France-Presse.
"It is important... that an independent and self-sufficient Palestinian state is
established and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved within the
framework of the roadmap in a way that will ensure genuine, durable and
permanent peace," the Monarch said. The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the King
added, would not be constructive unless it was part of the roadmap.
In an interview with the Jerusalem-based Al Quds newspaper, King Abdullah hailed
Israel's pullout from Gaza as a "historic step" and hoped that it would pave the
way to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
He was also quoted as saying he would be delighted to visit the Palestinian
territories and meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "when the occasion
presents itself."
AFP quoted officials as dismissing reports that the King would visit Ramallah
this week. He highlighted cooperation between Jordan and Turkey, saying that it
"serves as an example for other countries and is an important factor in
establishing peace, stability and prosperity in the region."
The King, meanwhile, expressed support for Iraq's political process, in which,
he said, all groups in the conflict-torn country should participate.
King Abdullah's visit to Turkey came as Iraq prepares for an October 15 vote on
a new constitution and shortly after Israel completed its withdrawal from the
Gaza Strip.
Both Turkey and Jordan border Iraq and are worried that instability there could
spill into their territories, the Associated Press said.
On bilateral relations, the King underscored the "distinguished and strong ties"
between Amman and Ankara, stressing that Jordan is looking forward to
establishing a "deeper partnership" between the two sides in the future. During
their meeting, the two leaders stressed the need to increase trade volume
between the two countries.
According to Petra, the volume of bilateral trade stood at $190 million last
year. Sezer, for his part, praised Turkish-Jordanian ties as a relationship that
"makes important contributions to international peace, stability and welfare in
the region."
The King also held talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the agencies
reported.
King Abdullah discussed efforts to counter terrorism with the Turkish officials.
"In this framework, I also want to underline the importance of developing
Islam's core values — peace, tolerance and living together," the King told the
press.
Turkey, which is 99 per cent Muslim, has friendly ties with Israel and Arab and
Muslim countries.
Last week, Turkey hosted a landmark meeting between the foreign ministers of
Pakistan and Israel. Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel but on
Thursday the foreign ministers of the two countries met in Istanbul, the first
high-level public contact between Israel and Pakistan.
The Jordanian delegation comprised Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez, the King's
Security Adviser and Director of the National Security Field Marshal Saad Kheir,
Foreign Minister Farouq Qasrawi and Jordan's Ambassador to Turkey Fares Mufti.
On the Turkish side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and
senior officials attended the meetings.