Jordan Times
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
King urges intensified efforts to achieve progress in peace process
AMMAN (Petra) –– His Majesty King Abdullah
reiterated on Tuesday the need to intensify efforts to realise tangible progress
in the peace process through launching serious negotiations between Palestinians
and Israelis within a regional context.
Negotiations should lead to a comprehensive peace and the establishment of an
independent and viable Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the
Monarch said at a meeting yesterday with a delegation of US congressional aides
currently on an official visit to the Kingdom, where he also reviewed regional
issues and challenges.
At the meeting, the Monarch said there is currently an opportunity to realise
concrete results in terms of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through
a two-state solution, as guaranteed by the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which
also ensures Israel's security and regional recognition.
The King also underlined the need for Israel to halt all unilateral measures,
especially the construction of settlements.
The Monarch cautioned that wasting the opportunity to realise peace and the
failure of peace efforts will have negative and catastrophic consequences on the
entire region.
The King also stressed the importance of the US role in supporting peace
efforts.
The Monarch said US President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo last month as well
as his commitment to a two-state solution left a positive impact which should be
built upon by launching a specific action plan in accordance with a clear
timeframe that also pushes forward peace efforts on the Syrian and Lebanese
tracks.
At the meeting, the King highlighted cooperation and partnership between Jordan
and America, commending US support for Jordan in various development programmes.