Amman - Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Monday discussed with Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi and Foreign Minister Salah Bashir the latest efforts to push forward the Middle East peace process.

"Bildt exchanged viewpoints with Dahabi on latest developments in the Middle East and the role the European Union can play in advancing the peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis," an official statement said.

Dahabi urged the EU to perform "an effective role" along with other world powers to pressure Israel into halting its military operations against Palestinians and stopping the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, the statement said.

The discussions also tackled preparations under way to convene an international conference in Sweden at the end of May to muster backing for Iraq's reconstruction and to enable the United Nations to play a pivotal role in Iraq, the statement said. (dpa)