Jordan Times
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
‘Jordan wants better Iraq ties, real progress in peace process’
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday
said Jordan is keen on better ties with Iraq in various areas of cooperation,
especially the economic and trade fields.
He told visiting Iraqi Finance Minister Bayan Zubeidi that improved cooperation
would serve the interest of both countries, reiterating Jordan’s support for its
eastern neighbour’s national reconciliation efforts and endeavours to rebuild a
secure, unified and stable Iraq.
The King stressed that the unity and solidarity of the Iraqi people is the
answer to the challenges facing their country.
Zubeidi said his country has extended a call to Jordanian businessmen to invest
in Iraq, “which is now witnessing a considerable economic recovery in all
sectors”.
Also Sunday, Minister of Finance Hamad Kasasbeh discussed with Zubeidi and the
accompanying delegation ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, frozen Iraqi
assets in Jordan and financial claims Iraq owes Jordan’s private sector.
The two sides stressed the need for a fixed timetable to settle all outstanding
issues and agreed to authorise technical committees from both sides to finalise
all files in question.
The two countries agreed late November to settle the outstanding financial file.
Zubeidi also discussed with officials recently a proposal to carry out a
feasibility study to extend an oil pipeline between Hadeetha and Aqaba.
King meets MedBridge leaders
Also Monday, His Majesty said it was vital to achieve tangible progress in the
peace process between Palestinians and Israelis on the basis of international
resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
King Abdullah made his remarks during a meeting with a delegation from MedBridge
representing 25 European countries. He said Israeli and Palestinian leaders
should have the necessary courage to achieve the desired peace.
King Abdullah warned against the consequences of Israel’s policies, particularly
settlement activity in the Palestinian territories.
He called for further efforts to help Palestinians and Israelis proceed with
negotiations of the final status issues.
On the issue of normalisation of Arab ties with Israel ahead of a peace
settlement, the King told the delegates that political leaders should first
provide their peoples with the opportunity to build a future. After that, the
people themselves will move to seize the available opportunities. People will
not move when the killing machine is at work, he said.
The 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, renewed last year in the Riyadh summit, offers
Israel full normalisation of ties with the Arab world in return for withdrawal
from Arab lands occupied in 1967.
On Europe’s role in peace efforts, King Abdullah said if the peace process
proceeded and the momentum created by the US-hosted Annapolis meeting is
maintained, the international community can help parties to the conflict address
unresolved issues of final status negotiations.
The King reiterated that the Kingdom has interests in final status issues,
particularly regarding the refugees, Jerusalem, security, water and borders.
He highlighted the Kingdom’s support for Palestinians’ right of return and
compensation in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
The delegation is on a regional tour which started in Jordan and will take them
to Israel, Palestine and finally Egypt where they are due to arrive on February
7th. The tour is part of an initiative called “Parliaments for Peace”, in which
hundreds of parliamentarians and former political leaders work for peace and
better understanding in the region.