Within the active movement of His Majesty King Abdullah II in Europe to urge the EU countries to exert their utmost efforts to stop the escalating violence in Palestine and move the peace process forward, the King, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, held talks Thursday with President of Germany Horst Koehler and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.



During the talks, which were attended by Minister of the Hashemite Royal Court Sameer Rifai, Minister of Foreign Affairs Marwan Muasher, Jordanian Ambassador in Germany and a number of German senior officials, the King affirmed the necessity of the international society's commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state.



The King said that the only way of solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the two-state solution which live side by side in peace and security, stressing that achieving this comes through the commitment of the two sides, the Palestinians and Israelis, to implement the roadmap.



King Abdullah called for an immediate halt of violence in Gaza, expressing that the continuity in building settlements and the separation wall hamper any progress to reach a just and comprehensive peace.



The King also called the EU and the international community to shoulder their responsibilities to put an end to the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian lands, stop violence and end the suffering of the Palestinian people due to the Israeli practices.



His Majesty noted that the instability, chaos and violence in the Middle East region, which resulted from failure to reach just and comprehensive solutions especially in Iraq and Palestine, increase extremism and terrorism, a fact which requires unifying
efforts to store peace and security for the peoples of the region, affirming that Islam is a religion of tolerance and dialogue and it has no relation to terror, which Jordan condemns in all its forms.



Concerning the situation in Iraq, the King affirmed that Jordan exerted all efforts to support the Iraqi people and government to achieve stability and security as soon as possible with a view to enable Iraq regain its normal positions and effective role in the region.



King Abdullah called on the international community to further support the Iraqi government in its efforts which aim to achieve peace, rebuild Iraq and build its institutions, stressing the importance of security in Iraq with a view to hold elections
over Iraq.



King Abdullah's talks with the German president and foreign minister also touched on ways of enhancing the bilateral ties especially in the economic and trade fields. Both sides had identical views toward continuing work to develop cooperation relations in all domains.



The King expressed appreciation for Germany for its support to Jordan in implementing its economic and social programs that aim to achieve sustainable development in different sectors.



On their part, German president and foreign minister hailed Jordan's determination, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, to achieve peace in the region.



They highly valued the friendship relations between Jordan and Germany affirming that Germany will continue supporting and enhancing its relations with Jordan.



They also hailed the economic programs implemented by Jordan to develop its national economy which are a model example in the region.



King Abdullah stressed, in statements to Agence France-Presse (AFP) follwing his meeting with Fischer, that we are committed to support the temporary Iraqi government to make the security situation in Iraq more stable.



The King affirmed that he will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi soon to discuss with him ways of supporting Iraq with a view to help it hold elections in January, 2005.



German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joschka Fischer said, in a statement to the Jordanian Television and Jordan News Agency (Petra), that its is a great honor for us to meet with His Majesty King Abdullah, adding that we have a strong friendly relation and ties in the different spheres.



concerning the Iraqi issues, Fischer said that the situation in Iraq is complicated, expressing hope that Iraq regain its stability and the Iraqi government play its political role.



Fischer also hailed the ties between Jordan and Germany adding that we highly value the role of Jordan in the region. He also reiterated his country's and the EU countries readiness to continue presenting aid that include developing tourism, trade, and economic in Jordan.



On his part, Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher said that the statements of Israeli Prime Minister's advisor make us wonder about Israel's commitment to the roadmap and the peace process.



Muasher added that His Majesty the King explained the situation to Fischer, the King affirmed the necessity of hard working, especially after the American election, with a view to fasten the peace process and reach a just solution.



He also pointed that the king touched on the bilateral and economic ties between Jordan and Germany.