By NNN-Petra
Ankara : Jordan’s King Abdullah and Turkish President Abdullah Gul have condemned Israel’s intention to build 300 settlement units in Jabal Abu Ghneim in East Jerusalem.
During their talks in Ankara on Teusday, the two leaders said that this step is an obstacle in the way of achieving peace and of building confidence, especially after the Annapolis peace conference which was held in the United States last month.
In statements to reporters, King Abdullah said that the United States should bear the responsibility on each party for what they pledged in Annapolis. The negotiations in Annapolis must be accompanied by the implementation of the commitments of each party on the ground, including the cessation of Israeli settlement activities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, he added.
For his part, Gul said that the news on the settlement units shocked the world, because it is clearly a flagrant violation of Israel’s undertakings in Annapolis, expressing hope that Israel will backtrack on its decision because any party must not impede the peace process.
The two leaders had discussed, during the talks which exceeded 90 minutes, many important developments in the Middle East, where they expressed that the Annapolis peace conference must be the beginning of a process that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state in 2008 through intensive negotiations.
In press statements, His Majesty described his talks with Gul as fruitful, and resulted in “significant steps to advance and deepen bilateral relations.”
The King and the Turkish president agreed to establish a regular mechanism for political consultation under the name of “political consultation group” that works as a “forum for dialogue on all important issues to both countries, and as an advisory body for the issues of common interest”, particularly regional and bilateral issues.
The final joint statement, issued at the conclusion of His Majesty’s visit noted that this consultative committee for coordinating policies would consist of high-ranking officials from the two countries.
The statement said that the two sides agreed to enhance relations of friendship and cooperation in political, security, economic, tourism and energy fields.
The two sides agreed on the importance of working closely together to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab peace initiative, where His Majesty thanked Turkey for its role in the revitalization of the Palestinian economy through the establishment of industrial cities.
The two leaders discussed the issues of Lebanon and Iraq, confirming the importance of stability in these countries and the rejection of outside interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and the need for everyone to respect the unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.
The two leaders stressed the importance of progress in the Syrian and Lebanese tracks of the peace process.
The two sides condemned all threats to regional security, especially on the issue of terrorism in all its forms, including the terrorist attacks of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
For his part, Gul said that the visit of His Majesty the King of Turkey is important, especially in light of developments in the peace process, as it granted the two countries an opportunity to accelerate political and economic relations.
He added that he discussed with His Majesty what the two countries can do together to push the peace process, expressing his belief that the relationship of Jordan with other states in the region would contribute to peacemaking and regional stability.