AMMAN (JT) - His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday voiced disappointment that Middle East peace efforts are not realising the required progress, saying "we cannot stop” and all have to work together to ensure the launch of serious and direct talks.

The peace talks should lead to the ultimate objective of a two-state solution within a comprehensive regional peace, the Monarch said in remarks to the press after his meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome.

The King warned that the alternative to such a solution would be more war and suffering.

In their talks, the two leaders looked into efforts to launch peace negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, a Royal Court statement said.

They also expressed their keenness to cement bilateral ties, especially in economic fields, saying there is much room for increased cooperation.

The King's talks with Napolitano were preceded by a meeting between the Monarch, the Italian leader, Her Majesty Queen Rania, Their Royal Highnesses Princess Zein and Princess Aysha and Napolitano's spouse, Clio.

At the press conference, King Abdullah said the talks focused on the Palestinian issue, which he said is a priority in the Middle East, and on efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The King underlined the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which, he said, represents a consensus among the Arabs to achieve peace, noting that the international community, especially the US and the EU, have made peace in the Middle East a top priority.

He said Israel should choose whether it wants to integrate into the region or to remain fortress Israel.

King Abdullah stressed the need to freeze settlement activities and all unilateral Israeli measures, especially in Jerusalem, towards which Jordan has a special responsibility. He said the Kingdom will continue to protect the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the city.

His Majesty said Italy is respected in Europe and the Middle East and thus it can play a major role in efforts to achieve peace and stability.

The King said his talks with the Italian president were constructive and covered means to foster bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern.

He said he was looking forward to talks he was scheduled to hold with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and several officials on means to develop bilateral ties, which he labelled as “strong and historic”.

The King highlighted the role of the private sector in activating economic cooperation, referring to the Jordanian-Italian Business Forum in Milan on Thursday which is designed to promote bilateral economic cooperation. The Monarch also thanked Italy for its support to Jordan.

Napolitano, who highlighted King Abdullah's role in preserving Jordanian and Arab interests in the world, said Jordan has always played an effective role in the peace process and in enhancing ties between the countries of the East and the West.

The Italian leader also voiced appreciation for the King's role in sustaining dialogue between religions and his commitment to preserving the Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem.

He said talks King Abdullah will hold with the Italian government will open new horizons of cooperation in fields of energy, tourism, infrastructure and projects in which Italy can help advance the development process in Jordan.

Napolitano said it is unfortunate that the negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis that started 16 years ago came to a halt after all these years, expressing hope that the talks would resume soon as all pay the price for the conflict, especially Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the Israelis who will not enjoy security as long as the conflict is ongoing.

The Italian president said it is not only the Middle East countries that pay the price for the conflict but the Mediterranean countries as well because the conflict is a major obstacle against developing the economic potentials of these countries.

Napolitano expressed hope that progress will be made in the peace process, especially after the new positive US foreign policy in spite of all the difficulties.

Thus, there is a need for an American, European and Arab commitment to realising peace in the Middle East, the president said.

In their visit, Their Majesties are accompanied by a delegation of young Jordanians to have a first-hand experience in the King's efforts in enhancing ties with the different countries and bringing about peace in the region.

Also yesterday, King Abdullah held separate meetings with Italian Senate President Renato Schifani and Italian Lower House Speaker Gianfranco Fini.

Discussions at the meetings covered means to activate parliamentary cooperation through the exchange of delegations and forming friendship committees between the two countries' parliaments.

Talks also focused on efforts to achieve Mideast peace, with the King stressing that the two-state solution is a prerequisite to a comprehensive peace.

Upon an invitation by Fini, King Abdullah attended part of a session of the Italian lower house.