Jordan Times
Friday, September 7, 2007
Intensified efforts urged
ahead of peace meeting
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday urged intensified efforts to
prepare the stage for the US-proposed Mideast peace meeting.
During a meeting with Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the Monarch
called on the US to exert utmost efforts to ensure that the meeting concludes
with tangible results that trigger progress in the peace process in accordance
with a fixed timeframe towards an independent Palestinian state living
peacefully side-by-side with Israel.
His Majesty stressed the need for such a meeting to address unresolved issues
between the Palestinians and Israelis. The so-called final status issues include
Jerusalem, borders, settlements and refugees.
In a flurry of activities over the past week, His Majesty reiterated calls on
Israel to immediately go into talks with the Palestinians over these issues.
King Abdullah and Welch also discussed developments in Iraq. In this regard, the
Monarch stressed Jordan’s support for efforts seeking to enhance security and
stability in the country.
Meanwhile, Welch briefed the King on his country’s efforts to revive the
Palestinian-Israeli peace process and improve the situation in strife-torn Iraq.
Also on Thursday, King Abdullah renewed a call on the EU to continue its support
for the Mideast peace process.
During a meeting at the Royal Court with Polish Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz,
he stressed the importance for EU countries, including Poland, “to continue
their contributions to efforts seeking to bring about just and permanent peace
in the region,” according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
In talks with Borusewicz, who headed a delegation of parliamentarians and
businesspeople, the King outlined Jordan's efforts and communications aimed to
sustain the momentum of the peace process and help Palestinians and Israelis
embark on serious negotiations that would lead to the establishment of an
independent Palestinian state.
King Abdullah expressed hope that the US-proposed international Mideast peace
conference, expected in November, will be a step forward in endeavours to
achieve the envisaged peace in the Middle East and create the Palestinian state.
On bilateral ties, King Abdullah highlighted potential opportunities that can be
seized to build economic and commercial ties between Jordan and Poland with the
effective participation of the private sector in both countries.
Borusewicz, for his part, said he highly valued Jordan's efforts to realise
peace in the region, stressing his country's keenness to bolster cooperation
between the two countries in various fields, especially in parliamentary and
economic fields.
The Monarch said the Jordanian-Polish business forum, which opened on Wednesday,
is a positive step to cement economic cooperation, implement joint investments
and increase the trade volume between the two countries.
Representatives from 30 Polish companies and institutions and Jordanian private
and public sectors took part in the conference.
Panellists were discussing ways to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields
and investment partnerships in light of the country's free trade agreement with
Europe.
Also yesterday, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and Borusewicz discussed ways of
boosting cooperation between the two countries and developments in the region,
especially with regard to the Palestinian issue.
Stressing the importance of the Polish delegation's visit in strengthening ties,
the premier said there are considerable opportunities to boost cooperation in
the fields of tourism, education, technology, trade and economy.
On regional politics, Bakhit stressed that unless a just solution to the
Palestinian issue is worked out, the phenomenon of terrorism in the Middle East
would flourish.
Meanwhile, Senate President Zeid Rifai held a separate meeting with Borusewicz,
where they discussed bilateral ties, especially in parliamentary field, and
regional issues.
They said the King's visit to Poland in July 2004 helped take bilateral ties in
various fields to the next level.