The remarks came during talks between the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.
Ashton renewed EU “commitment and keenness to advance the peace process and end the conflict in such a manner that ensures security and stability for all peoples of the region,” according to the official Petra news agency.
She said that the EU would continue “consultation and cooperation with Jordan” in endeavors to ensure a resumption of the US-brokered direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel.
The Palestinian Authority withdrew from the negotiations last September after the Israeli government failed to extend a moratorium on settlement building in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
From his part, Judeh underscored the “important EU role in pushing forward the peace talks whether individually or through the EU membership in the Middle East quartet.”
“Barring a just solution to the Palestinian issue that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with the 1967 borderlines, the region and the world will not enjoy peace and stability,” Judeh said.
The Jordanian minister echoed King Abdallah’s remark that the political turmoil in the Arab world “should not thwart the peace process.”
Ashton arrived in Jordan earlier Thursday at the outset of a new regional tour which is due to take her also to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Egypt.
She is due to travel on Friday to Israel for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and to Egypt on Saturday.
“I look forward to meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders and encouraging them to seize the opportunity and engage in negotiations,” she said.
“With the momentous events going on in North Africa and following President Obama’s speech last month, it is more urgent than ever that we kick start the Middle East peace process,” she added.
