Jordan Times
Monday, December 10, 2007
King urges work to improve
Amman-Damascus relations
AMMAN (Petra) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said Jordan is keen on
better ties with Syria and more active Arab joint action, especially with regard
to the Middle East peace process.
At a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem, His Majesty stressed
the need to build on the results of his talks last month with President Bashar
Assad.
King Abdullah said yesterday the Joint Jordanian-Syrian Higher Committee
meeting, which is scheduled to take place later this month, would certainly
contribute to enhancing bilateral ties.
In their summit on November 18, the King and Assad said they were eager to
arrive at solutions to all outstanding issues between the two countries “once
and for all”, especially with regard to economic relations, borders, water and
security cooperation, in addition to a settlement to the issue of Jordanian
prisoners in Syria. Damascus has recently released 18 Jordanians held in Syrian
jails and a committee is working out a final resolution that also addresses
Syrian prisoners in Jordan.
A joint communiqué issued after the summit marked several agreements for
signature including one to provide Jordan with its need for wheat from Syria to
be concluded during the upcoming meeting of the joint committee.
Water and Irrigation Minister Raed Abu Saud and experts from his ministry held
talks with Syrian counterparts in Damascus last week.
Both sides agreed to give priority for storage at Wihdeh Dam, assign committees
to set appropriate mechanisms for storage and to draw a specific time frame for
the implementation of the concluded agreements.
Abu Saud and his Syrian counterpart Nader Bunni also agreed to proceed with “the
removal of violations” in the Yarmouk River basin and to name liaison officers
to coordinate joint action towards this end.
During the meeting with Mouallem yesterday, King Abdullah also stressed the need
to enhance joint Arab action and coordinate stands between Arab countries during
the coming stage, especially with regard to the peace process so as to achieve a
just, permanent and comprehensive peace that leads to the creation of an
independent Palestinian state and an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab
territories, including the Golan Heights.
Discussions between King Abdullah and the Syrian minister also covered the
results of the US-hosted Annapolis peace meeting.
They also discussed developments in Lebanon, where the King stressed the need to
enhance the country's stability, security and sovereignty.
Mouallem stressed his country's desire to develop bilateral ties in various
fields, commending the King's efforts to serve the interests of the Arabs. Also
yesterday, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi met with Mouallem and discussed means to
enhance bilateral ties and developments in the region.
At a press conference following their meeting yesterday, Foreign Minister Salah
Bashir and his Syrian counterpart stressed willingness by both sides to pursue
efforts to arrive at effective solutions to the outstanding bilateral issues.
They also reiterated their resolve to intensify cooperation and coordination to
ensure the success of the Arab summit, which will be held in Damascus next year.
Bashir and Mouallem stressed the importance of the Arab role in supporting
Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and stability. They also confirmed their backing of
all efforts for comprehensive national reconciliation in Iraq, the success of
political dialogue and the elimination of all forms of sectarian conflict,
violence and terrorism.
The Syrian foreign minister said: “I conveyed to His Majesty King Abdullah a
verbal message from his brother President Bashar Assad on the development of our
bilateral relations in different fields, and means to boost Arab solidarity.”
Reiterating that his talks with the Jordanian officials were fruitful and
positive, he expressed hope for continued coordination.
The Syrian official extended an invitation to Bashir to visit Syria.
King to visit Turkey
Meanwhile, King Abdullah will start a two-day tour on Tuesday that will take him
first to Ankara on a brief stopover, where he will hold talks with Turkish
President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on means
to develop bilateral ties and developments in the region.
In Ankara, the Monarch will discuss with the Turkish leaders developments in the
peace process in light of the Annapolis meeting and means to enhance the
security and stability of Iraq.
Later in the day, King Abdullah will head to Paris, where he will meet with
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the Middle East and bilateral ties.
On Wednesday, the King will address the European Parliament (EP).
The King’s address at the 785-strong EP in Strasbourg “comes as part of His
Majesty’s relentless efforts to rally international support for a just and
permanent solution to the Mideast conflict”, according to a Royal Court
statement.
In the address, he will underline the importance of Europe’s continued
commitment to solving the Middle East conflict, which, the statement said, is
“the core issue and most pressing crisis”.
The King is also expected to outline a vision for the future of Euro-Arab
relations, underscoring possibility for stronger partnerships and highlighting
the promise the future holds for the peoples of both regions.
During his visit to Strasbourg, His Majesty will also meet with EP President
Hans-Gert Pöttering and prominent parliament members.