Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov's Conversations in Amman
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Ivanov on July 14 paid a working visit to Jordan. During his
stay in Amman he was received by King Abdallah II, and held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Marwan
Muasher.
An in-depth exchange of views on pressing problems in international politics and Russian-Jordanian relations took place.
Both sides emphasized that the Road Map, a plan for peace suggested by the Quartet of international mediators, opens up
the real chance for the overcoming of terror and violence, the restoration of the negotiating process between the
Israelis and Palestinians, and in the long term - a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The
participants in the talks welcomed the positive changes in the situation around the Palestinian territories and voiced
support for the efforts of the leadership of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) for implementing the provisions of
the Road Map. The necessity was noted of consolidating the cease-fire agreement between Israel and the PNA, including
with the help of external monitoring of the obligations assumed by the parties.
The Jordanian side underlined the importance of the role of Russia in the efforts to achieve an Arab-Israeli settlement.
Igor Ivanov noted the constructive contribution of Jordan to advancing this process and stressed the need to further
strengthen the institution of the Quartet of international mediators, which is called upon to provide close support in
the course of the implementation of the Road Map and to render every possible help to the Palestinians and Israelis in
advancement towards peace.
When discussing the situation in Iraq the sides spoke out for the necessity of strict respect for the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the country and respect for the rights and freedoms of all its citizens regardless of their
ethnoconfessional identity. Resolving the situation in Iraq should be accomplished on the basis of international law and
UN Security Council Resolution 1483. The creation of the transitional Governing Council in Iraq was judged as a step in
the right direction. Further work on the revival of the Iraqi state must be arranged with due regard for the importance
of the speediest formation of national power structures which would enjoy the Iraqi people's trust and the support of
the international community, above all the UN Security Council.
A high assessment was given to the state of bilateral Russian-Jordanian relations and the striving was reaffirmed to
build up mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.