*EPF416 06/05/2003
Text: Economic Forum in Amman Aims to Build on Peace Process
(Powell, Zoellick slated to attend June 21-23 meeting) (900)

Planners of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) upcoming "Global Reconciliation" summit in Amman, Jordan, say they hope the meeting of more than 1,000 world leaders in business, government and civil society will build on current efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.

"Following the meetings with the Arab leaders and President Bush in Sharm el-Sheikh, and with the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers, Ariel Sharon and Abu Mazen, in the Jordanian port of Aqaba, the World Economic Forum is aiming to add momentum to the peace process," WEF President Klaus Schwab said in a June 5 news release.

The WEF, generally known for its meetings of high-profile corporate and government leaders each January in Davos, Switzerland, announced in April that it would hold an "extraordinary" meeting in Jordan June 21-23.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick are expected to attend the forum and discuss prospects for U.S. free-trade agreements in the area, the WEF said.

Key Arab leaders planning to participate include Amre Moussa, secretary-general of the League of Arab States, and Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Attiaza, secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The list of attendees also includes NATO Secretary General George Robertson, European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana and German Vice-Chancellor Joschka Fischer, the WEF said.

Topics on the agenda include economic development, social progress and political stability in the Middle East, according to the forum.

Following is the text of the WEF news release:

(begin text)

World Economic Forum
5 June 2003

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM'S GLOBAL RECONCILIATION SUMMIT
IN JORDAN TO CONSOLIDATE MIDDLE EAST DIALOGUE

Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday 5 June -- World Economic Forum President Klaus Schwab today welcomed the recent developments in the Middle East and emphasized their significance for the Forum's Global Reconciliation Summit in Jordan at the end of this month (21-23 June).

"When we embarked on this Summit some two months ago, we invited leaders from politics, business, and civil society to create a platform for peace and development in the Middle East. We never imagined when we were planning our Summit that it would become so central to the current peace process," said Professor Schwab.

"Following the meetings with the Arab leaders and President Bush in Sharm el-Sheikh, and with the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers, Ariel Sharon and Abu Mazen, in the Jordanian port of Aqaba, the World Economic Forum is aiming to add momentum to the peace process," he said.

Professor Schwab confirmed that the sponsors of the road map for peace, "the Quartet", will now meet at the Summit to look at the next phase.

Under the theme "Visions for a Shared Future", the Forum's Summit is being held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. Speaking at the press conference, Jordan's Minister of Planning Bassem Awadallah, talked of his country's pivotal role in the Middle East.

"The region is passing through a crucial phase of change. We want to harness Jordan's moderating role, its friendly ties with all parties and its pioneering political and social model to positively influence the process of transformation in the region that will hopefully lead to peace, security and prosperity, and make a positive contribution to global development and stability."

The World Economic Forum's Jordan Meeting will attract 1,000 leaders from business, politics and civil society from the Arab world, from Europe and from the United States:

-- Representatives from both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to meet privately during the World Economic Forum's Jordan Summit. And members of the peace Quartet (UN, Russia, USA and EU) will attend.

-- Key Arab leaders will also be in Jordan, including Amre Moussa, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Attiaza, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

-- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick will be unveiling their initiative for an Arab free trade zone.

-- The newly created Arab Business Council will produce a blueprint for economic development in the region.

-- The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Javier Solana, the Secretary-General of NATO, Lord Robertson, and the German Vice-Chancellor, Joschka Fischer, have also confirmed their full support and participation.

Frederic Sicre, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum, said, "We are at a unique moment for the Middle East; it's time for the region to build a new vision of political, social and economic development for itself. It is up to those who come to Jordan to play their part in this historic opportunity."

For additional information, contact Mark Adams, Senior Press Officer, at the World Economic Forum on +41 (0)22 869 1212.

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world. The Forum provides a collaborative framework for the world's leaders to address global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members in global citizenship. Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The Forum has NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. (http://www.weforum.org).

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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