His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday urged a more active European role in removing obstacles to Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.

During a working lunch with the ambassadors of European Union member-states in Amman, King Abdullah stressed the need to intensify efforts to relaunch serious negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis within a clear time frame that tackle final status issues and guarantee the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state that can live in peace and security next to Israel.

King Abdullah called on European countries to place more pressure on Israel to halt its unilateral measures in occupied Jerusalem, saying that these measures seek to change the identity of the city by forcing Muslims and Christians to leave their homes and lands and threaten Islamic and Christian holy places.

He commended the efforts of Sweden, which currently presides over the EU, to forge a unified European stance that recognises East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.

King Abdullah told the EU envoys that ending the conflict according to the two-state solution is the sole means to bring security and stability to the region.

He also reviewed Jordan's efforts to implement development and reform programmes to achieve sustainable growth in various fields, stressing Jordan's keenness to upgrade cooperation with EU countries. He expressed hope that the endorsement of the Lisbon Treaty this month would boost Europe's international role and reinforce partnerships with countries in the region.