Jordan, Morocco discuss GCC bids

His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday held talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri on the latest developments in the region, particularly the political changes in the Arab arena, according to a Royal Court statement. Fihri conveyed Moroccan King Mohammad VI’s greetings to His Majesty and his keenness on boosting ties with the Kingdom in all spheres. Discussions also covered steps taken by the two countries to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The King outlined the steps carried out by the Kingdom to accelerate the reform process. Fihri noted that the initiatives taken by King Abdullah in the field of reform and developing the Kingdom’s political life are similar to the steps taken by the Moroccan king. The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Khaled Karaki, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, King’s Media Adviser Amjad Adaileh and the delegation accompanying Fihri. Also on Wednesday, Judeh and Fihri told reporters after a meeting they held separately that in the absence of a real alternative guarantee of the resumption of peace negotiations to address all issues within a clear time frame, the Palestinian decision to go to the UN for statehood recognition remains the best option at hand. “Jordan is part of the Arab consensus to support the Palestinian bid to seek international recognition of an independent Palestinian state and we are in constant coordination with the Palestinian Authority in that regard,” Judeh said. The minister reiterated that although Jordan is not a direct negotiator in the peace process, the negotiations have a direct impact on the Kingdom’s interests in terms of water and the Hashemite historical role in overseeing the religious shrines in Jerusalem. “All final status issues directly impact our interests and we will make sure that the country’s interests are taken into account,” Judeh said, brushing off reports alleging that Jordan is opposing the Palestinian UN bid. He said Jordan will work to protect its interests under all scenarios, including a solution to conflict. Meanwhile, Judeh underlined that his participation in the GCC meeting earlier this week was in response to an invitation by the GCC council to discuss Jordan’s potential membership to the GCC. “The political decision was taken during the GCC heads of states meeting in Jeddah last May. What is left now are the technical issues which require the setting up of follow-up committees for in-depth discussions of the details,” the minister said, adding that the statement that was issued following the GCC meeting was clear in that regard. For his part, Fihri commended the bilateral cooperation between the two countries as well as Jordan’s political reform measures, adding that the two countries are setting a model in the region with respect to responding to the demands of their peoples for political openness, social justice and democratic transformation.