Jordan , Russia reiterate return to negotiations

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh conferred here on Wednesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on ties between the two countries and ways to cement them. At a meeting held on the sidelines of the 66th UN General Assembly session, the two men reviewed ways to support the Palestinian bid to be member of the UN. They also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. The two ministers underlined the importance of Palestinians and Israelis to sit down to the negotiations table to reach agreement and establish an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. A Palestinian statehood, Judeh said, is a top Jordanian interest, stressing the need to address final status issues like Jerusalem, borders, refugees and water. They also reviewed the latest development in a number of Arab countries. Judeh briefed the Russian official on reform efforts in Jordan in all domains, noting the recent constitutional amendments to enhance political life.