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Ammon News - AMMAN His Majesty King Abdullah II reiterated on Sunday the depth of cooperation and friendship ties between Jordan and Finland, voicing hope that the visit of President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen and the fruitful discussions held today will add to friendships and growing partnership.

The King made the remarks during a dinner banquet held in honor of visiting Finnish President and her spouse Dr. Arajarvi. He said the future can only witness more mutually beneficial cooperation, noting that the two countries' governments and private sectors are working together, both bilaterally and in the Euro-Med partnership.

"I am happy to say that Jordan is in the final stages of reaching an Advanced Status agreement with the EU. This will new opportunities for Finns and Jordanians to work together, in trade, tourism, investment, knowledge-building and much more," King Abdullah said.

He paid tribute to Finland's commitment to human rights and global understanding. These, he said, are deep values for the Jordanian people as well.

"Our country has a long heritage of moderation and respect for others. And we are doing everything we can to end global prejudices and divisions that are hurting our common humanity," the King said.

His Majesty noted that Jordan introduced a UN resolution to establish World Interfaith Harmony Week, voicing hope that each year, during this week, the world's people, in their own places of worship, would express the teachings of their own faith about tolerance, respect for the other, and peace.

He asked Finland to support this annual event that aims to help bring peoples ever close together in friendship and respect.

"We also deeply appreciate Finland's pledge to give its support to peacemaking efforts in the Middle East. The continuation of conflict in our region is a threat to global peace and security," he said. "All of us must work to end it, starting by ensuring a negotiated settlement to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. The whole world agrees that the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian state, living side by side a secure Israel, is the only path to a future of peace." The whole world, King Abdullah said, must throw its weight behind efforts to reach this solution that will open the door for a comprehensive regional peace; for Israel to have normal relations with 57 Arab and Muslim states.

The King warned that the alternative is much more destruction and division. "We can't afford to waste any time, any lives", the King said.

Finland has earned widespread trust for balanced, credible diplomacy, and an ethic of global responsibility, King Abdullah noted. He added that he looks forward to working closely with Finnish president on forging a stronger partnership; a partnership that will yield more benefits to the two countries' peoples, and will help realize the rights of all peoples of the region, to a future of peace, promise and opportunity.

The Finnish president, on her part, valued efforts exerted by King Abdullah to promote peace in the Middle East.

"I respect very much your active role in the Middle East Peace Process," she said.

As a European Union Member State, Finland strongly supports the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, President Halonen said.

The negotiations, she added, should lead to a two-state solution that allows an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state that live side by side with Israel in peace and security.

"The relations between the European Union and Jordan have strengthened," she said, adding that Finland and Jordan have good relations, "Although the geographical distance between our countries is long. Your visit to Finland in 2006 strengthened our bilateral relations," she noted. "In future, we could further intensify our collaboration particularly in the fields of economy and trade."

* petra