Brussels, 17/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - Speaking before the press on Wednesday 16 February at the end of her trip to Jordan (final leg of her tour to the region this week), Catherine Ashton reiterated the wish of the EU for the peace process in the Middle East to resume as soon as possible. “It is now more than ever time to ensure peace and stability for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine”, she said. The high representative of the EU for foreign affairs also spoke to King Abdullah of Jordan and the Jordanian foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, about the state of bilateral relations (in autumn 2010, the EU granted Jordan “advanced status”) and the political and economic reforms the country is in the process of implementing. The EU is prepared to help Jordan to make progress in this direction, Ashton stressed. Next week (21-22 February), she will visit Egypt. (H.B./transl.fl)