Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Monday discussed with US Deputy Secretary of State Jacob J. Lew Jordanian-American ties and means to cement them in various domains.


They also discussed developments in the Middle East, especially efforts underway to kick-start serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli peace talks on the basis of the two-state solution and within a comprehensive regional context.

Judeh stressed Jordan's stance which calls for intensifying efforts to launch serious peace negotiations that address final status issues and make concrete headway towards the internationally-agreed-upon two-state solution.



The Minister reiterated that peace talks should be clear and time-lined to arrive at a viable and independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"His Majesty King Abdullah II has warned that chances of peace will fade if serious negotiations do not start immediately to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to the two-state solution, and the continuation of the status quo will send the Middle East into many decades of instability", Judeh noted.

Judeh said the United States has a pivotal role in removing impediments to the resumption of peace negotiations, adding that resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is an international and regional priority.



"The unilateral Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territories especially in East Jerusalem including house demolitions, eviction of Palestinians, excavations under holy sites, and Jewish settlement activity are all illegal and illegitimate and should cease immediately as they impede peace talks, Judeh added.

The American official affirmed his country's commitment towards achieving peace and stability in the Middle East in accordance with the two-state solution and relevant terms of reference.

He hailed His Majesty King Abdullah's efforts with all concerned parties to bring about peace and stability in the region.

Lew also paid tribute to reform and development projects underway in the Kingdom to realize comprehensive and sustainable development.


Source: Jordan News Agency - Petra