Europe to consider the economic stick, Cook said

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook held talks with Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan yesterday evening. The negotiations focused on efforts to revive stalled Israeli - Palestinian peace talks.

"We are taking a renewed initiative in diplomatic activity to try and restore momentum to the peace process," Cook told a joint press conference with Crown Prince Hassan.

"Ten days ago, I set out these steps which we believe must be taken to restore confidence, trust and the sense of progress to the Middle East peace process," he said.

"Europe is the major financial backer of the peace process," Cook said, adding that Europe provides twice as much funds as the US does in supporting the peace process. "I now want to make sure that those funds are clearly targeted on the removing obstacles to interim steps in the peace process." he said.

"We are also in close contact with our partners in the US, from whom we soon expect an initiative," he said.

Concerning his visit to Jabal Abu Ghaneim, or Har Homa, during which he will be accompanied by Israeli officials, he said that it was not a recognition of sovereignty, "We have made a position clear over a number of years, it is wrong to expand the settlements in the occupied territories."

"It is necessary to build confidence in the peace process to restore trust," he reiterated, "It would be very helpful if Israel could refrain from expansion of the settlements which plainly do not fit in with the spirit of Oslo accord."

"I went to Har Homa to see the situation for myself," he said, "The president of EU should fully understand the situation and have seen it."

Cook, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, arrived in Amman after his short visit to Cairo, Egypt. His talks with Jordan's Crown Prince also touched on the Iraq issue.