Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
King Hold Talks With French
President
Paris, Sep. 28 (Petra)--His Majesty King Abdullah II and French President Jacque
Chirac held talks in Paris on Tuesday that focused on means of supporting
Jordanian-French relations, the situation in the Palestinian lands and Iraq as
well as the issue of terrorism.
The two leaders affirmed supports to efforts that aim at reviving the peace process and ending the cycle of violence in the Palestinian lands through resuming dialogue between the Palestinian and Israelis by implementing the roadmap. The King and Chirac also underlined the importance of the role of the international quartet in this regard.
His Majesty and the French president affirmed that any withdrawal form Gaza should be part of the roadmap, and warned against the dangers of continuing the construction of the settlements and the separation wall that threaten the future of the peace process.
During the meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Faisal Fayez, Royal Hashemite Court Minister Sameer Rifai, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr. Basim Awadallah, Jordan's ambassador to France Dina Qawar as well as a number of French officials, King Abdullah affirmed the importance of the French and the European role in supporting the peace process and putting it back on its proper track.
On Iraq, His Majesty affirmed Jordan's commitment
to the future of Iraq and its keenness to assist Iraq to enable it to assume its
role in the region. His Majesty affirmed that Jordan will put all its
capabilities at the service of Iraqis to enable them to assume
power and construct their country.
King Abdullah called on the international
community to assume its responsibilities in this regard, expressing hope that
chaos and
violence in Iraq would end and that security and stability would prevail so that
Iraqis would be able to hold elections at the time set for that.
His Majesty renewed Jordan's strong condemnation
of terrorism in all its forms as well as the kidnapping and killing of hostages,
indicating that these practices are not related to Islam and its values.