His Majesty King Abdullah and French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday held talks on ways to re-energize the Middle East peace process and discussed bilateral ties.



During the meeting, King Abdullah and Chirac agreed on the need for the Palestinians and the Israelis to adhere to their commitments to the roadmap. The two leaders said both sides of the conflict should work on implementing the resolutions of the recently-held Sharm El Sheikh summit.



To achieve that end, King Abdullah and President Chirac urged the international community and the EU to continue their support to efforts aimed at realizing just and comprehensive peace in the region.



During the talks, the King stressed that comprehensive settlement in the region requires also reviving peace talks on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.



King Abdullah hoped that the upcoming London Conference would ensure that the Arab Peace Initiative is revived. He told French President Jacques Chirac at an Elysee Palace meeting that the conference, which is to mainly address Palestinian institution-building, should also ensure that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza Strip is part of the roadmap to the Middle East peace process.



On Iraq, the King urged the international community to fulfill its responsibility and contribute to the reconstruction process in Iraq and help its people live in peace and security. King Abdullah said Jordan was keen on the unity and sovereignty Lebanon as well as the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1559.



King Abdullah said financial and technical support by the EU, including France, helps Jordan implement its ambitious development plans.



On bilateral ties, the King said Jordan was going ahead to improve the living standards of Jordanians and to involve them in decision making.



The French president said Paris would seek to help Jordan, among other countries, to solve their debt problems. He added that France will urge the EU and the G-8 countries to secure necessary funds for the Kingdom's development programmes.



President Chirac highly appreciated Jordan's major role to establish peace and security in the Middle East region.



King Abdullah arrived later in London on a two-day visit to the United Kingdom for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on bilateral relations and latest political developments in the region.