Jordan Times
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Progress depends on peace —
King
Jordan to host `global forum for emerging markets' in April
NEW YORK (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said justice, peace, freedom and moral values will shape the environment for global economic development and growth.
Addressing the Economic Club of New York, King
Abdullah urged the world to work together in order to “make the promise real.”
“Billions of people, including the Muslim world and the West, depend on what we
do to create a strong, inclusive global economy,” the King told a gathering of
around 500 economic, political and intellectual leaders. Her Majesty Queen Rania
attended the address.
The Monarch said cooperation and dialogue among members of the human society
should not be mere idealistic goals but rather critical strategies for
advancement. All countries have responsibilities in this effort, he stressed.
The King said that Jordan has taken a lead in the region in promoting
development, peace and reform.
“We've focused on three priorities: Good governance — which makes people
stakeholders in their future, opportunity-rich economies — which can create jobs
and economic growth, and peace to end conflict and instability,” he said.
The King added that the Kingdom moved forward strongly despite regional conflict
and instability, adding that for the entire region, and the world, long-term
progress depends on peace.
“We are strongly committed to a lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict —
two states, a viable, independent Palestine living beside a secure Israel,” he
said.
In a discussion after the address, the King said Jordan and several other Arab
countries have shown readiness to help the Palestinian Authority after the
Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, noting that many of these states were willing to
invest in the Strip.
He warned against any further escalation in the Middle East.
Commenting on the international probe of the assassination of Lebanon's former
premier Rafiq Hariri, King Abdullah hoped that “all parties involved should be
engaged in a dialogue to tackle the issue.”
On Iraq, the King reiterated that Jordan was working to help Iraqis build a
future.
The King said achieving peace in the Middle East will advance global peace and
fight the extremism, which, he warned, would divide the world into hostile
camps.
“We cannot allow extremism to dictate the dialogue, or silence our common
humanity,” he said. “We are continuing to work with Islamic scholars and
organisations, and Islamic leaders of vision.... We are planning major
initiatives in education and in media strategy. All of this is key to the future
of the world.”
The Economic Club of New York, which was established in 1907, is a major forum
for discussions of issues of concern to the business world.
It has in the past years hosted key world leaders, economists, jurists and
scholars from all over the world to speak to elite audiences.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah yesterday held talks with Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the UN World Summit in New York.
The Monarch and Ahmadinejad discussed bilateral ties, developments in Iraq, as
well as Iran's dispute with the West over its nuclear programme.
King Abdullah reiterated that Jordan believes that the dispute should be solved
through negotiations and diplomacy. The King urged “more dialogue” between the
West and Iran.
King Abdullah and the Iranian president underlined the need to back efforts to
restore stability and security in Iraq and preserve the country's territorial
integrity.
King Abdullah also met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili,
Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.