Jordan Times
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
UK, US commitment key to
peace process - King
AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah cautioned on Monday that failure to bring
about peace in the region will threaten Israel, the Palestinians, the Arab
states, and global security and stability.
At a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday, King Abdullah
urged a clear action plan to launch serious negotiations to resolve the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the “internationally accepted” two-state
formula.
The Monarch also called for immediate international action to resolve the
Mideast issue within a regional context and in a way that brings about
comprehensive and permanent peace in accordance with the related international
resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
The peace overture, he said, ensures the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and provides Israel with
security and acceptance in the region.
The King reiterated the need for Israel to halt all unilateral measures,
particularly its settlement activities, which he said threaten the future of the
peace process and the chance for the establishment of an independent and viable
Palestinian state.
His Majesty also highlighted the significance of the UK's role in supporting
efforts to kick-start negotiations and working to intensify international
efforts to resolve the conflict in the region.
During the discussions with Brown, the King said the US administration's
commitment to the two-state solution within a regional context provided a
momentum for peace efforts, urging all involved stakeholders to work together to
reach a permanent solution to the conflict.
Talks also focused on means to boost bilateral ties, with both leaders showing
their keenness to foster cooperation in all fields, especially in the field of
alternative energy.
The two sides signed a 30-year agreement on cooperation in developing nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes.
The Monarch highlighted the UK’s role in supporting alternative energy projects
Jordan is working to launch.
Also yesterday, Her Majesty Queen Rania discussed with the UK prime minister's
wife, Sarah Brown, issues of mutual concern.
Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, who signed the nuclear agreement with his British
counterpart David Miliband, highlighted projects in the pipeline to generate
electricity and desalinate seawater. The agreement also covers cooperation to
conduct research on means to apply nuclear power in the agricultural, industrial
and medical sectors in addition to nuclear security.
At a press conference following the signing ceremony, Judeh indicated that
Jordan has signed nuclear agreements with France, China, South Korea, Canada and
Russia. He noted that the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission is currently holding
talks with the US, Japan, Spain, Romania and Argentina to cooperate in the field
of nuclear energy.
"By the end of 2009, Jordan will be signatory to nine nuclear agreements, a
matter that reflects the international respect the Kingdom enjoys,” Judeh added.
Miliband, in turn, praised the “transparency” of Jordan’s nuclear energy
programme, calling it “a model for countries considering developing their own
civil nuclear programmes”, according to Agence France-Presse.
Later in the day, King Abdullah arrived in Stockholm, where he will hold talks
today with Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and meet several officials.
In Sweden, the last leg of a European tour that also included Belgium, King
Abdullah will also meet with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country
will assume the rotating presidency of the EU early next month, and Foreign
Minister Carl Bildt, to discuss developments in the region and means to foster
bilateral ties in different fields.