His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday discussed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the upcoming visit to the region by US President George W. Bush.
Abbas said, in remarks to the press after the meeting, that Bush's visit, due this month, was on the agenda of his talks with the King, which took place in Aqaba.
The King said he would intensify his efforts and contacts during the coming few days to enhance the position of the Palestinians and push forward efforts to arrive at a lasting solution to issues on the negotiating table, reiterating Jordan's support for all efforts exerted to overcome difficulties hampering the progress of peace negotiations that should lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state before the end of this year.
During the US-hosted Annapolis peace conference in November, the Palestinians and Israelis agreed to immediately launch peace talks, and hoped to conclude negotiations before 2009, in accordance with the roadmap, international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
King Abdullah stressed that Israel should stop any unilateral measures that would undermine the progress of negotiations which deal with final status issues, mainly putting an end to all settlement activities.
Talks between King Abdullah and the Palestinian president also addressed the outcome of the conference of donors to assist the Palestinian Authority (PA) in its efforts to build its own institutions and improve living conditions of the Palestinian people.
The King urged donors to translate the resolutions of the Paris donors' conference into facts on the ground and real improvement to the Palestinians' economic situation and living conditions.
Palestinians in December won a powerful signal of support from scores of Arab and foreign countries that pledged billions to enhance prospects of an independent state through reviving the economy and help boost renewed peace negotiations with Israel. Abbas briefed the Monarch on the progress of negotiations with the Israelis prior to the upcoming visit of Bush to the region.
In a statement to Jordan Television following his meeting with the King, Abbas said talks focused on the results of his recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Palestinians' expectations from the scheduled visit of the US president to the region.
Discussions also focused on steps to coordinate the Palestinian-Jordanian stance regarding the upcoming peace talks, in addition to bilateral issues, Abbas said.
Regarding the PA call on Hamas to resume dialogue, Abbas said his government did not put any pre-conditions on initiating dialogue, but called on Hamas to end their “coup” so that conditions would go back to normal.
Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June after ousting Fateh leaders, a move that led to the seclusion of the strip and deteriorating living conditions of residents.
On New Year Eve, Abbas called for dialogue between the two groups, but violence broke out as Fateh was celebrating its foundation anniversary, resulting in at least seven fatalities, including civilians.