Brussels, 18/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On a visit to Belgium on Wednesday, King Abdallah of Jordan met the EU troika, in other words Czech President Vaclav Klaus, President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Javier Solana. Described as informal talks by the Europeans, the meeting was followed by meetings with individuals at the European Commission and talks with Javier Solana on Thursday morning. The first main subject of debate was EU-Jordan relations, with King Abdallah making it known that he wanted Jordan to have an advanced status in relations with the EU along the lines of Morocco's relations. The other main issue of debate was the situation with the new Israeli government.
European sources comment that in terms of relations with the Israelis, there was strong convergence between the EU and the Jordanian position as both sides agree that it is time to seize the “new opportunities” that are opening up in the Middle East with the arrival of President Obama in the White House who is determined to make progress, and the openness (although limited) of a right-wing Israeli government to talk for the first time of a Palestinian state (although nothing has actually been settled). Solana's circles suggest the issue will be discussed in direct talks, along with the prospects for inter-Palestinian reconciliation and the new situation that seems to be emerging in the region (in Lebanon, Iran, etc).
People generally believe that “action”' is needed now that so many “catalysts” seem to be available. EU sources say that nobody should be surprised at the fact that if nothing is done, the impact will have repercussions in the results of the upcoming Palestinian elections, which may be held in January 2010. To avert Hamas coming to power, the only option seems to be to take action, a view that the European side is bound to share with the “moderate” Arab states, of which Jordan is key as a mediator in the region. Solana's circles suggest that Obama seems to want swift progress to be made. In order to decide on tangible action, the Middle East Quartet is expected to meet in Trieste, Italy, next week, on the fringes of the G8 summit, to decide what moves to take. (F.B./transl.fl)