From correspondents in Amman, Jordan, 07:31 PM IST

Jordan Sunday called on the European Union (EU) to play a much bigger role in restoring peace in the troubled Middle East region.

Jordan's King Abdullah II, underscored the 'importance of the EU's role' in the establishment of peace between Israel and the Palestinians, when he met Javier Solana, the foreign policy chief of the 27-nation bloc, in Amman Sunday, a royal court statement said.

'The monarch underlined the importance of the EU role in the maintenance of security and stability in the Middle East and the establishment of peace between the Palestinians and Israel, particularly in the coming months,' the statement said.

Abdullah also warned that Israel's continued building of settlements in the Palestinian Territories, particularly East Jerusalem, 'will derail peace efforts'.

He urged the EU to help the Palestinians 'rebuild their institutions and improve their standard of living.'

Solana also held separate talks with the Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi and Foreign Minister Salah Bashir.

The European foreign policy chief arrived in Amman Saturday night in the course of a Middle East tour which also took him to Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Egypt.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)