Strasbourg, 12/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - In welcoming the King of Jordan to Strasbourg on Wednesday, the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, pointed out that this visit of the Hashemite sovereign was part of a tradition established by King Hussein, the present king's father, who addressed the EP on two occasions in 1983 and 1991. Mr Cox stressed that this visit was at the very moment that relations between the EU and Jordan were entering a new phase, following the entry into force last May of the Association Agreement with the country, for which he welcome the positive role of Jordan in the Barcelona Process ad the development of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue (see EUROPE yesterday page 13). Mr Cox also expressed his joy at the commitment made by the King to the role of women in Jordanian society. Mr Cox also indicated that the Union would be assisting Jordan in enhancing pluralistic policy, the role of civil society and respect for human rights. Pointing out that King Hussein had in 1994, "the courage to sign a peace agreement with Israel", President Cox welcomed the important role that his son was playing in trying to achieve peace throughout the region.
"I need not tell you that your work has lessons for the world", exclaimed King Abdullah, stressing the exemplary nature of European construction that proved that after the most terrible conflicts the peoples of different nations could create together a future of peace. Using a quotation from Jean Monet, "We are not creating a coalition of States, we are uniting people", the King stated, "Your Parliament has been at the epicentre of that achievement. You have build bridges, where others might promote division. …It is no exaggeration to suggest that today, you have no more important partners than the Countries of the Southern Mediterranean. Our relationship recognises millennia of shared experiences and mutual interests. My region is the birthplace of our common history, including the three great monotheistic religions. For centuries, we have joined with Europe in where the renowned historian Fernand Braudel termed overlapping civilisations'". King Abdullah also asserted that, "We share the promise of the 21st Century, and we share its risks and dangers as well. The urgent need of development, the evils of terrorism, the threat of weapons of mass destruction, the occupation of Palestine, these problems affect us all". While stressing the seriousness of the problems faced by all, he congratulated the European Parliament, "At a time when our enemies of our historic friendship were poised to take advantage of confusion and fear…you spoke out clearly and forcefully against targeting innocent Arab and Muslim peoples. You expressed a commitment to a world of toleration, understanding and mutual progress…We must never allow opportunists to provoke war of civilisations", he added, while insisting on the need to fight against stereotypes and promote democracy, freedom and respect for diversity. "Our second great challenge is to open the doors to prosperity and hope, for all our peoples", he added, stressing the fact that half of the Arab world was aged under 18. "Our young people like yours, seek to be part of the 21st Century. Bu tall too many are alienated from what makes our era so promising, innovation, new knowledge, productive employment, and the creation of wealth. Too many, perceive an unbridgeable divide between Western haves and worldwide have-nots. This division provides a breeding ground for anger and conflict…Europe has a special role, through its partnerships, in giving young people an opportunity to find hope". Abdullah II also referred to the contribution that the Association Agreement would make to developing economic relations with his country which, expected to benefit from immediate aid to escape from its debt. He pointed out that in this context, growth in 2001 was at 4.2% but with the absence of peace in the region, lost around 1% off the growth rate. He insisted on the necessity of finding peace in the region and on the initiative adopted by Arab countries in Beirut, adding that, "Today, we urgently need Europe to take a leadership role…an international coalition composed of the United States, Europe, Russia, Arab, and other countries, would provide the support - in security, economic and political terms - that is needed by both the Palestinians and Israelis…to trust the road to peace". The King once again quoted from Jean Monet, "Today, I know that peace is possible. But it cannot be achieved unless all of us act. Together we can create a collective destiny that offers hope to all our people. But let us act now, let us act decisively, and let us make it real, not for tomorrow's children, but for our own."
President Cox welcomed this speech of a leader who had the courage of his convictions and who was endowed with a good sense of reason and vision. The President thanked the King for having touched "our sense of reason" and appealed to us at an emotional level.