King abdullah , Ashton discuss mideast, ties

His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday held talks with the EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, on the latest developments in the region and means to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and the union. Talks also focused on the latest developments in several Arab countries, particularly in Libya, and their impact on the security and stability of the region in general, a Royal Court statement said. The two sides also discussed the stalled Mideast peace process in a bid to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. Ashton outlined the EU position regarding Mideast peace, highlighting the key role of Arab countries and Europe in supporting the security and stability of the region, including Libya, at this stage. Ashton expressed the EU’s appreciation of the measures taken by the Kingdom to achieve comprehensive reform in various fields. Also present at the meeting were Royal Court Chief Khalid Karaki, the King’s Media Adviser Amjad Adaileh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh and Ashton’s accompanying delegation. Also on Monday, Judeh held talks with Ashton on regional developments and Jordan’s ongoing reforms. During the meeting, the two sides tackled issues of mutual interests and means to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian leadership’s bid to seek UN recognition of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. At a press conference following his meeting with the EU top diplomat, Judeh said: “We discussed all efforts exerted to ensure the return of all parties to the negotiating table and Ashton’s efforts to revive the peace process and reach a just settlement to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution which guarantees the establishment of a viable and independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” He stressed that peace and stability in the Middle East has an immediate impact on global stability. Judeh told reporters that the talks with Ashton also covered the situation in Libya and Syria, noting that Jordan has and will continue to logistically support the Libyan National Transitional Council and serve the interests of the Arab country and its people. With respect to the escalation of violence in Syria, Judeh reiterated a call for an immediate end to the bloodshed in Syria and the need to begin a political reform that meets the public’s demands. “Syria is a neighbouring country and we are very concerned about its territorial integrity,” Judeh noted. Ashton underlined the importance of her talks in Amman, expressing the EU’s support for Jordan’s reform efforts. “I was delighted to support the work that has been going on here and what the Jordanian government is currently implementing. We want to be a partner and a friend to Jordan and we will continue to find ways of enhancing that support not just directly but through the instruments and other EU organisations and I hope you will see us deliver on those commitments,” said Ashton, whose Jordan stop was her last leg in a regional tour that also took her to the Palestinian territories and Israel. She added that her talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on the peace process and the importance of reviving direct negotiations between the two sides. “Following the recent tragic events in Israel and Gaza, it is more important than ever that the parties return to the negotiating table,” Ashton said. “It is only through negotiations - and not violence - that the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be addressed. The EU continues to make every effort to make a renewal of negotiations possible,” the EU official said. Regarding the Palestinians’ UN bid, she stressed that it is for the Palestinians to decide what is best for them, hoping that their decision will come in a formula that can be accepted and, subsequently, supported by the EU. Also on Monday, King Abdullah met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Younas Grestor and discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments. The King expressed his condolences to the Norwegian government and people over the victims of the terrorist blast in Oslo and the attack against a youth camp in Utoeya Island last month, according to a Royal Court statement. His Majesty also underscored the vital role of Norway and the EU in supporting efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state. For his part, Grestor underlined his country’s support for the Palestinians in their efforts to establish their own independent state, stressing the importance of helping the Palestinian Authority establish institutions to serve the Palestinians, the statement said. Grestor also met with Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit on Monday and the two discussed ways to enhance cooperation at all levels.