AMMAN, March 30, 2017 (WAFA) – United States Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt reaffirmed to Arab leaders meeting in Jordan for the 28th Arab Summit US President Donald Trump’s personal interest in achieving a peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel, according to a statement issued Thursday by the US Embassy in Amman.
It said Greenblatt, who attended the meetings as an observer but “did not endorse the speeches given or resolutions approved by the assembled Arab League member states,” listened to the views and ideas of the Arab leaders and held a round of bilateral meetings with them and with other foreign delegations to discuss US perspectives and policies.
“The dialogue at the meetings was open, frank, and helpful,” said the statement.
In his meetings, Greenblatt focused “on how tangible progress could be made toward advancing Middle East peace, including a comprehensive agreement between Israelis and Palestinians,” it said.
He reaffirmed “President Trump‘s personal interest in achieving a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians and his belief that such a peace agreement is not only possible, but would reverberate positively throughout the region and the world.”
The statement said Greenblatt “welcomed hearing the perspectives of Arab leaders on Israeli-Palestinian issues and highlighted the important role regional partners can play in the pursuit of peace.”
Greenblatt made clear that he was not in the region to impose ideas or peace plans on others, stressing that “peace between Israel and the Palestinians can only be negotiated directly between the two parties, and that the United States will work closely with Israel and the Palestinians to make progress toward the goal that they pursue.”
He also discussed “how to meaningfully enable the growth of the Palestinian economy and promote economic opportunities for Palestinians so they can reach their full potential and contribute as full partners in efforts to build a peaceful future free of terrorism and extremism.”
M.N./M.K.
