King, Abbas discuss efforts to advance peace process
Amman, Aug. 8 (Petra)–His Majesty King Abdullah II on Wednesday, met at Al Husseiniya Palace in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for talks on the current developments in the Palestinian arena as well as efforts to push the peace process forward.
During an expanded meeting that was preceded by a bilateral meeting, King Abdullah and President Abbas stressed the necessity of continuing coordination and consultation between the two sides on developments related to the Palestinian issue and Jerusalem.
King Abdullah said that Jordan fully supports the Palestinian brethren to achieve their legitimate rights, pointing out that the Palestinian issue is a central issue and the core of conflict in the region, and a top priority for the Kingdom’s foreign policies.
His Majesty affirmed Jordan’s continued efforts with all concerned parties to re-launch negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis on the basis of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In this context, the King pointed out that his recent meetings with the US president, US administration officials and the congressional committees focused on Jordan’s firm position on the Palestinian issue, which affirms that there will be no peace and stability in the region without reaching a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution.
His Majesty affirmed the importance of working with the American administration and the international community to find political horizons that serve Palestinian interests and the right of the Palestinian people.
The King reiterated that the issue of Jerusalem should be settled within the final status issues as it is key to achieving peace in the region.
His Majesty said that Jordan, stemming from the Hashemite guardianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the holy city, will continue to play its historic role in protecting these holy sites.
The meeting, which continued over a working lunch, also dealt with the role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the need to support it by the international community to enable it to continue to provide its educational, health and relief services to the refugees.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to hold meetings of the Joint Jordanian-Palestinian Higher Committee co-chaired by the prime ministers of the two countries to enhance Jordanian-Palestinian cooperation and coordination in various fields.
The Palestinian president expressed his appreciation for Jordan’s historic and firm positions on the Palestinian cause. He also praised King Abdullah’s efforts in defending the rights of the Palestinian people in all international forums.
The meeting was attended by the prime minister, the minister of foreign affairs and expatriates, the director of the general intelligence, the advisor to His Majesty the King, and the director of His Majesty’s office.
The meeting was attended on the Palestinian side by the secretary of the PLOs executive committee, member of the Fatah central committee, head of the general intelligence and the Palestinian ambassador in Amman.
