King Abdullah II Expresses Concern Over Mideast Peace Process

Tuesday began King Abdullah II’s state visit to Italy, at the invitation of President Giorgio Napolitano. His visit will last until Friday, and discussions between the two countries would range from boosting economic and bilateral ties.

REUTERS/Paolo Giandotti/Italian Presidency Press Office/Handout

Also on the agenda will be the Mideast peace talks, which King Abdullah is trying desperately to start again. He has voiced concern over the slowing down of the talks, and disappointment over the United States showing more interest in Iran than in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“If by 2010 Israel doesn’t believe in two states, the possibility of a Palestinian state will vanish,” Abdullah told the Italian newspaper la Reppublica before his visit to Italy. “The most often-repeated question in the Arab world today is, does Israel really want peace?”

President Napolitano called Jordan “a pillar of stability for the entire region.” He also praised King Abdullah’s “enlightened work, in times of great tension, to promote dialogue and understanding between the religions.”