Petra News Agency
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
King reiterates importance of achieving progress in peace process
His Majesty King Abdullah II underlined the importance of achieving real progress in the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis according to the international legitimacy and Arab peace initiative. King added, during a meeting with a parliamentary delegation representing MedBridge Group, that Palestinian and Israeli leaders must have courage to reach and aspired peace. King also warned from the negative impacts of Israeli policies and procedures, most important of which is the continuity of building and expanding of settlements, noting to these policies and procedures impact on the final status discussions. Answering a question on the priority of normalization on peace, King Abdullah said that politicians must first give their people the chance to build the future, then people will be able to seize available chances of cooperation and joint ventures. His Majesty reiterated that the Middle East is at a crossroads this year, where a decision must be made whether for peace and stability or the opposite. He added that the international community must help the Palestinian and Israeli leaderships to achieve a better future for Palestine and a peace for Israel. As for the role Europe can play, King said that the international community can help in solving the unsolved final status issues, in case the peace process achieved progress and momentum created by the Annapolis peace meeting continued. King Also underlined Jordan’s adherence to the right of return for refugees and their rights to be compensated according to the international legitimacy resolutions. As part of a MedBridge initiative entitled ‘Parliaments for Peace’, a delegation of around 100 MPs from 30 different European parliaments is currently on a visit to the region. The MedBridge organization was set up in Belgium in 2003 as a non-profit organization.