Jordan, Turkey urge coordinated efforts to launch Mideast peace talks

Jordan and Turkey on Thursday emphasized the need of coordinating efforts to immediately launch Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations to end the decades-old conflict between the two sides, Xinhua reported.

Speaking at a press conference, visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said any future negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Peace talks between the Palestinian and the Israelis came to a halt this year following the election of a right-wing Israeli government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh highlighted the significant role Turkey plays in bringing about peace in the Middle East, saying it is important to invest in the opportunity at hand to attain Mideast peace.

The Turkish foreign minister also reviewed his country's role in ending the dispute that aroused recently between Syria and Iraq in light of massive bombings targeting government ministries in Baghdad on Aug. 19.

Iraq has accused Syria of sheltering suspects responsible for the deadly bombings that killed 97 and injured some 585, an accusation rejected by Damascus as groundless.

Later in the day, the Turkish minister met with King Abdullah II of Jordan and looked into means to bolster relations between the two countries and reviewed regional developments, Jordan's official news agency Petra reported.

At the meeting, the king underscored the need of intensified efforts to launch a quick and effective international action to lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.