King reviews current events with EU official

AMMAN (JT) – His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday held talks with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle on Jordan-EU ties and current events in the region, according to a Royal Court statement.

During the meeting, the King outlined the efforts, programmes and plans Jordan is working to implement and accelerate the comprehensive reform process in various political, economic and social fields, in a manner that increases public participation in the decision-making process, meets the aspirations of Jordanians and deals with all the challenges facing them.

His Majesty also stressed the need for the international community, including the EU, to intensify efforts to overcome the obstacles facing the Middle East peace process in order to arrive at the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders based on the two-state solution, the statement said.

Discussions also covered means to enhance ties between the Kingdom and the EU, particularly in economic, commercial and investment fields which serve the interests of both countries.

Also on Monday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh met with Füle and discussed relations between Jordan and the EU as well as the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly efforts to overcome obstacles facing the peace process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Judeh highlighted the importance of the EU’s role in pushing peace efforts forward and in pressuring Israel to end its unilateral measures in the occupied Palestinian territories.

He also stressed the need to resume peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to achieve a two-state solution, according to Petra.

Judeh said current events in the region should not divert attention from the Palestinian issue, which is the core of the conflict in the region, stressing the importance of relaunching direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis which address final status issues including Jerusalem, borders, security, refugees and water.

Füle expressed his appreciation for the efforts being exerted by the King to bring about security and stability in the region.

“The EU supports Jordan’s efforts led by King Abdullah to achieve peace and security in the region and also backs efforts designed to revive direct peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to arrive at a just solution to the Palestinian issue,” Petra quoted him as saying.

Senate President Taher Masri also met with Füle and an accompanying delegation yesterday and discussed means to enhance cooperation and the latest developments in the region.

During the meeting, attended by EU Ambassador to Jordan Joanna Wronecka, Masri voiced Jordan’s keenness on improving its strategic relations with EU countries, pointing out that the EU is considered an important partner and donor to the Kingdom.

Masri also briefed the visiting delegation on the Kingdom’s reform efforts designed to boost democracy and uphold human rights.

For his part, Füle said the EU is committed to supporting Jordan as a basic partner in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process).

jordantimes