His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday reiterated Jordan’s support for the unity of the Palestinian people and efforts to realise national reconciliation that paves the way for a unified Palestinian stance.
King Abdullah emphasised Jordan’s full support for the Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority to realise their aspirations and create an independent state on Palestinian national soil with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The King made the remarks during talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah during a visit yesterday, the first official visit by the His Majesty to the West Bank since Abbas assumed the presidency.
King Abdullah said Jordan will continue supporting the PA’s efforts in international arenas to obtain independence and create a sovereign state through negotiations and in line with international resolutions.
His Majesty said resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should address all final status issues, mainly the issues of refugees and Jerusalem, leading to a lasting and just peace that ends tensions in the region.
King Abdullah said continued Israeli settlement activities undermine efforts to achieve peace and build confidence between Palestinians and Israelis.
The Palestinian president described the King’s visit as historic at all levels, and said it reflects Jordan’s support for the Palestinians and their struggle for freedom and independence.
“Jordan is a sovereign country that has its own policies. We have no reservations at all on what measures Jordan deems suitable to realise reconciliation and we fully support Jordan’s stance in this regard,” Abbas told reporters after the King departed Ramallah.
“The King’s visit today is very important and historic at this stage. It is an indication of continued coordination and consultations between the two sides on various issues of mutual concern,” Abbas said in his remarks to the press.
At the meeting between King Abdullah and Abbas, His Majesty briefed Abbas on the outcome of his recent visit to the UK and talks with British officials.
Discussions also covered efforts to support the PA and the Palestinians at the economic level through the provision of Arab and international assistance.
The meeting, which continued over a lunch banquet in honour of the King, stressed the importance of continued coordination regarding different issues of mutual concern that are related to supporting the Palestinians and empowering their institutions to overcome challenges they currently face.
Abbas also reviewed efforts to obtain recognition of a Palestinian state by international organisations. The King was also briefed on living conditions and the difficulties the Palestinians face in their daily lives.
The Palestinian president presented King Abdullah with Al Quds Medal of the First Order in appreciation of his “relentless efforts in supporting the Palestinians and their aspirations for an independent Palestinian state”.
King Abdullah visited the tomb of late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat and laid a wreath in tribute of the leader who died in 2004.