Jordan Times
Friday, June 26, 2009
Mideast peace process
'awaiting American plan'
AMMAN (JT) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh said Thursday that the
upcoming stage of the peace process will be "very critical".
At a joint press conference with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Maliki,
Judeh said: "We are awaiting the American plan to kick-start comprehensive peace
negotiations on all tracks and end the Arab-Israeli conflict."
"We all should shoulder our responsibilities and not allow anyone to hamper
these serious efforts. We should seize the historic opportunity at hand."
The minister noted that there is currently a genuine opportunity to achieve
peace based on the commitment of major influential powers including the US, as
well as other factors that play in favour of Arab and international efforts to
bring about peace.
Prior to the press conference, Judeh met with Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas, emphasising Jordan's full support for the Palestinians' aspiration to
build their independent and viable state within a comprehensive regional
solution.
Judeh underlined the need to build upon intensified efforts at the Arab and
international levels to revive direct and serious peace negotiations.
The minister also briefed Abbas on His Majesty King Abdullah's recent efforts to
rally support for peace efforts.
Judeh also held talks Thursday with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on
the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and in the region, as well as
efforts to end the conflict and bring about a just and comprehensive peace.
At the press conference, Judeh emphasised that the solution in the Middle East
should be founded on the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian
state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip based on international resolutions and the
2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
He also referred to the meetings of Arab foreign ministers and the King's
meetings in Europe.
Maliki said Judeh's visit is part of coordination between two sides at all
levels, including frequent meetings between the King and Abbas.
Also Thursday, Judeh reiterated Jordan's support for the Arab community in
Israel at a meeting with Talab Sanaa, a member of the Israeli Knesset's Arab
Democratic Party.
At the meeting, Judeh pledged Jordan's continued commitment to helping Arab
Israelis preserve their identity and sustain communications with neighbouring
Arab countries.
Judeh briefed Sanaa on King Abdullah's efforts to launch immediate and serious
peace talks to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state
solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and all international terms of reference.
The two sides also looked into efforts to revive the peace process within a
regional context. Judeh added that there is currently an international momentum
to end the conflict, and called on all parties to seize this historic
opportunity to bring about peace and stability in the region.