Jordan reiterates call for resumption of Mideast peace talks

AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday reaffirmed the need to create a suitable environment to re-launch “serious and effective peace talks” between the Palestinians and the Israelis. 

Speaking at a meeting with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov in Amman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Nasser Judeh said the peace talks should be held within a clearly specified time frame and result in achieving the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital

For his part, Mladenov praised Jordan’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Also on Tuesday, Judeh met with New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully and discussed bilateral ties as well as the latest regional developments and challenges.

Judeh expressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with and condolences for the government and people of New Zealand after the recent earthquake that hit the country. 

The magnitude-7.8 quake that struck New Zealand’s South Island left two people dead and triggered a small tsunami. It also brought down rocks and mud that swept across highways and cracked apart roads, The Associated Press reported.

McCully voiced his appreciation for Amman’s support to Wellington, according to Petra.

Both sides stressed the need to develop cooperation in the economic, commercial and cultural fields, in addition to expertise exchange.

Judeh and McCully went over the situation in Syria and efforts to find a solution to the crisis, highlighting the role New Zealand can play through its membership in the UN Security Council to reach a peaceful solution.