Foreign Secretary in Jordan to discuss Middle East Peace
03 Nov 2009
David Miliband travelled to Amman in Jordan on 3 November for meetings with HM King Abdullah II and other officials focusing on the Middle East Peace Process.David Miliband during his press conference on 3 November in Amman
Foreign Secretary David Miliband was in Amman on Tuesday 3 November for a one day working visit during which he met His Majesty King Abdullah II.
Talks focused on the prospects of peace in the region as well as Jordanian – British bilateral issues.
Following his meeting, David Miliband held a press conference at the British Embassy in Amman. During the press conference David Miliband described the current situation in Jerusalem as "tense".
He said:
'The current situation is obviously particularly tense in respect of Jerusalem. We view events there with considerable concern, along with our EU and international partners.'
The Foreign Secretary also expressed particular concern over reports of settlers moving into a Palestinian family's home in Sheikh Jarrah.
He continued:
'Settlements are illegal in our view and an obstacle to peace settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.'
'It's so important for all those who care about security and social justice in this region that discussions about borders and territory are restarted in a serious way, because if you can progress on border and territory, you can resolve the settlements issue.'
The Foreign Secretary also held talks with Senator George Mitchell, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, at the US Embassy in Amman.
David Miliband is also meeting several Jordanian officials to reinforce the strength of Jordanian-UK relations and to emphasise the UK's continued commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel Palestine conflict.
This was the Foreign Secretary's second visit to Jordan this year.
