Mubarak, Jordanian monarch discuss joint peace efforts
Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 5/7/2001

In the framework of the joint Egyptian-jordanian efforts to save the peace process, President Mubarak and King Abdullah II of Jordan met Sunday in Sharm El Sheikh discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, the sustained deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The two leaders also reviewed reactions by the various parties to the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative and ways of reactivating it since it is the only draft for putting an end to deteriorating situation.

The two leaders discussed the progress of the current contacts with both the European Union and the United States for pushing forward that initiative.

They also exchanged views on the report drawn up by Mitchell fact-finding committee on AL Haram AL Sharif incidents.

Following talks, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said amendment of the key points of the initiative is impossible as it is based on the essential principles of the peace process, adding if such a matter took place, it would mean an amendment of the guidelines of peace itself, and we cannot do this.

"However, verbal amendments are not ruled out," he said. "We shall continue to support this initiative which is acquiring increasing world support," Moussa said, adding that the initiative represents an essential step for putting an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Moussa said there is not deadline for the initiative whose fate depends on the situation of their sponsors and the Arab situation in general.

Moussa said the initiative would continue to be based on the basis we agreed on whether in terms of Israeli withdrawal to previous sites, the basis of negotiation, or guarantees of implementation or settlements.

He said the success of the initiative depends on the Israeli government and its willingness to cooperate and to carry out the agreements reached with Palestinians.

However, he said we should continue to work for guaranteeing the implementation of agreements, and resuming the peace process on condition that Israel should abandon violence policy and avoid the statements like those emerging from the Israeli cabinet two days ago as well as other negative acts.

Moussa said there are no Israeli objections to the initiative but there are proposals for amendment.

He described the Qatari offer to host a meeting by Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as an additional effort which does not contradict with the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative which is based on objective issues and sustained follow up.

Meantime, Information Minister Safwat El Sherif said "The deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories and the Middle East region was the key issue raised during the expanded meeting held between President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian king AbdullahII."

The two leaders as well discussed over two meetings the various reactions to the Egyptian- Jordanian initiative on settling the Middle East tension and means of garnering support for the initiative, he added.

He noted that the initiative was considered the proposed project to contain the deteriorating situation in the region.

They also probed the current contacts with the EU, the US with the aim of giving a push to the initiative.

Mubarak and Abdullah exchanged viewpoints on assessing a report by the Mitchell Commission investigating the reasons behind the flare-up of violence in the territories.

On the fringe of the summit, the two countries' delegations discussed means of bolstering bilateral relations; preparations for the joint Egyptian- Jordanian higher committee to convene on May 26 as well as the project of extending a gas pipeline between Jordan and Egypt.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Abdullah discuss Arab summit, Palestinian Issue, Iraq   (2/28/2001)
  Mubarak, Abdullah hold bilateral session of talks   (2/27/2001)
  Abu al-Ragheb visits Egypt   (1/26/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search