His Majesty King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday discussed efforts to launch serious and effective negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.
The envisaged solution, they reiterated, should result in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant terms of reference.
During a meeting in Amman, Abbas briefed the King on the outcome of his talks with US President Barack Obama on means to activate Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to resolve the conflict.
In remarks following the meeting, Abbas said his meeting with the King was part of routine coordination of stands in light of emerging developments. "It was necessary… to consult with His Majesty over what next."
Abbas said the US administration urges full implementation of the roadmap peace plan, adding that Israel should uphold its part of the deal to create a proper atmosphere for re-starting negotiations, “on the basis of agreements reached with the former Israeli government”.
Asked if he requested the US administration to pressure Israel to freeze settlement activities, the Palestinian president said the roadmap requires both sides to respect its terms.
He said the Palestinians are willing to complete any unfinished job and honour all their commitments.
“The Israelis have their own commitments, such as stopping settlement activities, including natural growth of settlements. The Americans understand this and they have demanded the Israelis to do what they have to do in this regard," said Abbas.
"After that, we can resume negotiations based on the roadmap and the Arab Peace Initiative," he added, rebuffing as baseless allegations that changes have been made to the Arab Peace Initiative. “None is entitled to change it,” the Palestinian president stressed.
On the Fateh-Hamas dialogue, Abbas voiced hope that reconciliation efforts would pay off because a positive outcome would “serve Palestinian national interests and the interests of all parties”.
He noted that coordination was ongoing in this regard with the Egyptians.