Embassy of Jordan - Washington, DC
Information Bureau

December 11, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
King Abdullah II discuss Mideast Peace, bilateral ties with French President

Paris (December 11, 2007) – His Majesty King Abdullah II reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Franco-Jordanian relations in a variety of sectors and stated his satisfaction with the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Policy Consultation Group. The group will coordinate political, economic and military bilateral relations, as well as issues pertaining to energy generation.

In talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy Tuesday evening, the King lauded the strength of relations between Jordan and France, as epitomized by France’s support for the Paris Club’s recent buyback of part of Jordan’s debt.

King Abdullah also underscored the importance of rallying international efforts in the coming months to build on the outcomes of the international peace meeting held last month in Annapolis, Maryland. He said that all concerned parties must support Palestinians and Israelis to ensure that they uphold their commitments and advance the peace process.

The King stressed that the international peace meeting must be leveraged as a real starting point for serious negotiations within a benchmarked, timelined framework aiming to achieve a Palestinian-Israeli agreement before the end of next year. King Abdullah added that negotiations must address all final status issues, leading to the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state.

His Majesty said France plays an important role in helping ensure the success of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, reiterating that a two-state solution is the accepted formula for peacemaking in the Arab world and internationally.

The King also restated Jordan’s commitment to helping achieve progress towards a just and comprehensive peace that includes the end of the occupation of Syrian and Lebanese lands, and which resolves the various aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with international legitimacy.

King Abdullah and the French president also discussed during their meeting means of supporting the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The King expressed his appreciation to President Sarkozy for France’s hosting of the Palestinian donors summit, which aimed to rally political and financial support for the PNA in order to help alleviate the difficult economic conditions facing the Palestinian people.

The two leaders also discussed Iraq and ways to strengthen security and stability there. King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan’s support for all Iraqi national reconciliation efforts and the need to ensure the inclusion of each of the country’s social groups.

The recent developments in Lebanon were also discussed. King Abdullah stressed his support for maintaining the country’s security and stability, hailing French efforts to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and unity.

President Sarkozy thanked the King for his efforts to solve the problems facing the Middle East, at the forefront of which lies the Arab-Israeli conflict. He commended King Abdullah for Jordan’s role in strengthening regional safety and stability.