King Abdullah :Palestinian state a priority for Jordan

His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday reiterated that resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution is the path to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East. During a meeting with international Quartet for Mideast peace representative Tony Blair, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region and efforts to revive the peace process, a Royal Court statement said. The Monarch stressed the important role of the Quartet, which comprises the US, UN, EU and Russia, and the rest of the international community in creating the appropriate conditions for the Palestinian and Israeli sides to go back to the negotiating table and address all final status issues. The process, he said, should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders living in peace and security to the side of a secure Israel. Also yesterday, the King held talks with German Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle on bilateral ties and the latest developments in the Middle East, according to the Royal Court. During the meeting, the Monarch stressed the need for Germany and Europe to continue supporting peace efforts to arrive at the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders on the basis of the two-state solution. “Reaching a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue that addresses all final status issues, including Jerusalem and refugees, is a priority to Jordan,” the King said. Westerwelle, who is on a regional tour that will also take him to Israel, said Germany backs efforts designed to break the stalemate in the peace process through relaunching direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis. Talks also focused on the Palestinian bid to seek recognition for their state at the UN and the European countries’ position regarding the issue. Germany has stated that it supports the idea of a Palestinian state but objects to the Palestinian UN bid. Westerwelle has urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to tread carefully in his bid for UN membership, warning that such a strategy could ultimately harm peace efforts. On bilateral ties, Westerwelle stressed his country’s support for the political and economic reforms carried out in the Kingdom to guarantee a better future for Jordanians. The two sides also reviewed opportunities available to enhance cooperation, particularly in economic and investment fields. Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh met with Westerwelle and discussed means to push the peace process forward as well as the Palestinian bid for UN recognition of statehood, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. During the meeting, the two sides voiced their support for the two state-solution as the only way to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and bring about peace in the Middle East. Westerwelle expressed hope to reach a unified European position regarding the Palestinian request at the UN. Germany wants Israel to live within secure borders and at the same time supports the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, Westerwelle said, adding that this will only be achieved through negotiations rather than confrontations. Westerwelle commended the political reforms carried out in the Kingdom including the constitutional amendments and the new elections law. Jordan was included in the assistance extended by the Group of Eight along with Egypt, Tunisia as a result of the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve reform. The two sides agreed on the need to end bloodshed in Syria and to carry out reforms in the country to guarantee a better future for Syrian people. In Cairo Monday, Judeh met with Abbas and discussed with him latest developments regarding the peace efforts. The minister reiterated Jordan’s stance in backing endeavours to establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Judeh also met separately with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Japan’s Middle East peace envoy Yutaka Iimura, and discussed with them means to arrive at the two-state solution.