His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said the Middle East was at a critical stage that requires more efforts by Muslim countries to help revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.
The King told Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at a meeting that peace should be achieved between the two sides in line with a two-state solution: A viable and independent Palestinian state, which lives in peace and security next to Israel.
King Abdullah said the international community should continue its support for the Palestinians, who have been plunged into financial crisis by the suspension of EU and US aid to the Hamas-led government.
Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib told reporters at a joint presser with his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirajuda that Amman and Jakarta agreed during talks on the importance of pursuing economic and financial aid to the Palestinians.
“We will urge the international community to intervene directly and immediately in order to revive the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians because it is the only way to end the crisis,” Khatib said.
Wirajuda told the press that Yudhoyono would make contacts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and “other parties to discuss means of cooperation” and reviving the peace process.
During their meeting, King Abdullah and Yudhoyono discussed means to bolster bilateral ties. The King said Jordan was keen on enhancing cooperation with Indonesia, and Yudhoyono said his country looked at the Kingdom as a gate into the Middle East.
The two leaders agreed to increase the volume of trade, particularly Jordan's exports of potash and phosphates to Indonesia — which declined last year.
Urging the private sectors of both countries to go into joint ventures, the two sides agreed to swap economic delegations to explore investment opportunities and establish a joint business council tasked with maximizing cooperation.
Jordan last year imported goods worth $146 million from Indonesia, while its exports stood at $13.4 million.
The two countries also said they planned to activate a 1989 cultural and scientific cooperation agreement.
The leaders also discussed the situation in Iraq as well as the means for the Organization of the Islamic Conference to “face up to the challenges confronting the Muslim world".
The Indonesian president arrived in Jordan late Tuesday, wrapping up a 10-day tour that has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The Jordan Times