Jordan Times
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Turkey’s Mideast role vital -
King
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah said Turkey has an “important strategic
role” to play in addressing Middle East issues and in enhancing the region's
security and stability.
He made his remarks during a meeting yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali
Babajan, who delivered a letter from President Abdullah Gul that tackled
regional developments as well as means for enhancing bilateral ties, according
to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
The King stressed the importance of building on the strong relations between the
two countries in all fields, Petra said.
In the letter, the Turkish president invited King Abdullah to visit Turkey,
stressing Ankara’s keenness on enhancing and cementing economic ties with
Jordan.
Gul said signing a free trade agreement between the two countries will enhance
trade between the two nations and help develop investments.
The Turkish leader added that Jordan and Turkey represent the voices of
moderation in the Middle East.
King Abdullah and Babajan discussed the two countries' efforts aiming to achieve
a comprehensive peace in the region and their mutual hopes for regional and
international support for a US-proposed international Mideast peace conference.
The Monarch said the upcoming meeting is an opportunity to realise genuine and
concrete progress in the peace process and to enable the Palestinians to regain
their legitimate rights and create their independent state on their national
soil.
King Abdullah also commended Turkey's efforts to enhance understanding between
the Palestinians and Israelis, and encouraging them to move forward with the
peace process.
Talks also covered the situation in Iraq.
The King said it was important that Iraq's neighbouring countries, including
Jordan and Turkey, cooperate in supporting the Iraqi government and people to
end the cycle of violence.
Babajan briefed the Monarch on Turkey's stand on developments in the region,
stressing that the international community has agreed to support the upcoming
peace conference.
He also commended the King's efforts to bring about peace in the region,
stressing the need for Jordan and Turkey to work together in creating a
strategic dialogue for establishing peace in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit also met with Babajan yesterday, discussing fields
of cooperation between the two countries and means to boost bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Bakhit described relations between the two countries’
leaders as “special” and highlighted the same approach of economic openness and
political moderation Amman and Ankara adopt.
They discussed cooperation between the two countries, referring to the Turkish
company, GAMA, which leads a coalition of firms that has won the bid for
implementing the $600 million Disi Water Conveyance Project.
Babajan said GAMA’s success will encourage other companies to invest in Jordan
in other fields, expressing his country’s willingness to encourage cooperation
between the two countries’ private sectors.
Bakhit and Babajan also reviewed regional developments, particularly after
Babajan’s visit to Syria and Israel.
The premier and the Turkish official also discussed preparations for a meeting
of the Iraq neighbouring countries and the G-8 conference that will take place
in Turkey next month.
On Lebanon, they stressed the need to continue dialogue among all Lebanese
parties and forces to overcome the current crisis and to reach a consensus on
electing a president.
Also yesterday, King Abdullah and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown discussed
means to bolster bilateral ties and developments in the region during a
telephone conversation.
The Monarch also discussed in Amman military cooperation with Britain’s
Assistant Chief of Defence Staff Rear Admiral Alan Richards.