King Abdullah II receives Papandreou, Ereikat

Amman
03 February 2003

His Majesty King Abdullah II Monday affirmed that regardless of the slim opportunity to avert war, yet we still hope of achieving a peaceful solution. During his meeting today with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, His Majesty urged for intensifying international diplomatic efforts to avert the potential war against Iraq.

Papandreou, whose country chairs the EU rotating presidency, briefed His Majesty on the EU efforts in this state to contain the Iraqi crisis and find a political solution.

The talks, attended by EU envoy to the Middle East Miguel Mouratinos, touched on the situation in the Palestinian territories, where His Majesty and Papandreou stressed the importance of speeding up implementation of the road map and entering peace negotiations to end the serious situation in the Palestinian territories and end the Palestinian people's suffering.

His Majesty discussed also with Palestinian Minister of Local Governance Saeb Ereikat efforts to move peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, and ending the Palestinian people's suffering.

During an audience today, His Majesty affirmed that Jordan will exert maximum effort with US and Europe to speed up implementation of the road plan, which enjoys international support.

Ereikat expressed concern over the Palestinian issue being overwhelmed by the Iraqi. He hailed the King's efforts to end the Palestinian people's suffering and his endeavors to activate peace negotiations.