BUCHAREST, Romania: Jordan's King Abdullah II said Monday an Arab peace initiative offers a solution for peace in the region, adding that Israel should use the opportunity or risk ongoing conflict in the region. "Israel must decide whether they want to observe this opportunity and become integrated in the region or whether they want to remain a fortress ... and keep the Middle East hostage in conflict," Abdullah said in Bucharest, during an official visit.

The king met Romanian President Traian Basescu Monday and discussed bilateral issues and the urgent need for peace in the Middle East.

The initiative offers Israel recognition by all Arab countries in exchange for withdrawal from territory captured in 1967, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees.

Basescu said he and Abdullah also discussed the possibility of Romanian and Jordanian firms starting work in Iraq "after the troops retreat, but even before."

During the king's visit to Romania and Jordan signed four documents on bilateral cooperation dealing with economic cooperation, the mutual protection of investments, cultural and scientific cooperation and environmental protection.