Jordan, France push for conference on Mideast peace

Feb 21, 2010, 15:22 GMT

Amman - Jordan and France on Sunday voiced backing for the convening of an international conference that could help achieve progress in the stalled Middle East peace process.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon is visiting the region, and met his Jordanian counterpart Samir Rifai for talks in Amman.

'The two sides welcomed any sincere effort that seeks concerted and constructive action to push forward the peace process, including the possibility of convening an international conference at the appropriate time and in full coordination with all concerned parties,' a joint statement said.

Fillon, who arrived in Amman Saturday night for a two-day official visit, also held separate talks with King Abdullah II.

Fillon called for the establishment of 'a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian state that lives in peace with Israel and on the basis of the 1967 borders and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions as well as the Arab peace initiative'.

'Jordan and France share the same viewpoint and we do believe that there is no other way except that of peace,' he said.

The Arab peace initiative offers Israel full recognition by all Arab states if it leaves the Arab territories it occupied in the 1967 Middle East war, including East Jerusalem.