His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with a number of leaders and senior officials taking part in the World Economic Forum which concludes today at the Dead Sea.
King Abdullah met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed with him efforts to achieve peace in the region based on the two-state solution and address various final status issues, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil.
During the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the King and Abbas tackled current international efforts to converge the views of Palestinians and Israelis and revive negotiations.
The two leaders warned against unilateral Israeli measures, including continued settlement expansion policies and Israeli attacks on holy places in Jerusalem, and their impact on the future of negotiations.
President Abbas hailed His Majesty‘s efforts to push the peace process forward and support the Palestinian people in their struggle to realise their aspirations and legitimate objectives. He stressed keenness to continue coordination and consultation with Jordan on various issues of common concern.
The King and the Palestinian president expressed appreciation for US Secretary of State John Kerry's efforts to make real and effective progress in the peace process.
The King also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for talks on ways to cement bilateral ties.
During the meeting, attended by Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, His Majesty hailed the UAE for supporting Jordan and standing by its side, especially by providing assistance to face the Syrian refugee emergency.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed Jordanian-UAE ties and expressed keenness to activate them in the common interest of the two brotherly countries.
He commended the King's endeavors in the service of Arab issues and regional security and stability.
Also on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, His Majesty King held talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry on US efforts to relaunch peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
His Majesty stressed during the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, that Israel must stop all unilateral actions, which constitute a real obstacle to peacemaking efforts, reiterating that Jordan will continue carrying out its duty to defend Muslim and Christian holy places in Jerusalem.
The King reviewed with Kerry the latest developments in the region, especially the Syrian crisis. His Majesty stressed the need for a comprehensive, political and transitional solution that preserves the unity of the Syrian people and their country's territorial integrity and stops the deterioration of the situation and its catastrophic repercussions on the region.
His Majesty highlighted the massive burden borne by Jordan due to the increasing influx of Syrian refugees, who put further pressure on the Kingdom's already limited resources, calling on the international community to increase its support to the Kingdom in this regard.
Kerry expressed appreciation for the King’s efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East and deal with all regional challenges with wisdom and competence, stressing that the US administration understands Jordan's needs, especially the need for further support to deal the growing numbers of Syrian refugees.
In a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, who is taking part in the WEF, His Majesty discussed ways to overcome obstacles to the revival of the peace negotiations.
The King and the Israeli president pointed out that the two-state solution is the only solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and strengthen security and stability in the region. They praised the US administration's efforts to relaunch the peace process.
His Majesty stressed the importance of the Arab Peace Initiative to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region, stressing that it is a historic opportunity for all.
Peres said everyone should work for peace and contribute to building a better future for the coming generations, hailing the King's endeavours to achieve peace and build a better future for the peoples of the region.