FM discusses south Syria with EU envoys, meets PLO leader

AMMAN — Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday discussed with EU ambassadors to Amman the latest developments in the Syrian crisis, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the meeting, the minister outlined the developments in south Syria, underscoring the efforts made by the Kingdom to ensure security and peace for civilians, and to provide them with aid on their own land. 

Safadi stressed that Jordan would continue to do whatever it could to assist the displaced Syrians. 

The minister underlined the need for increased international efforts towards achieving a political solution to the Syrian crisis that is acceptable to the Syrian people, and would protect the unity, security and stability of Syria, leading to conditions that allow refugees to return to their country and live there in safety. 

Safadi stated that Jordan would continue supporting the Syrians, whilst not ignoring the protection of its own national interests and security. 

He pointed towards the fact that Jordan has hosted 1.3 million Syrian refugees, exceeding its capacity for absorbing refugees, and that the Kingdom would continue to provide aid to these refugees, but is not able to accept any more, according to Petra. 

The minister voiced appreciation for the EU support for Jordan in bearing the burden of hosting refugees, highlighting the importance of the EU’s partnership with the UN agencies in meeting the needs of refugees. 

He underlined the need for the international community to focus on supporting refugees in their own countries.

Likewise, Safadi stressed the necessity of implementing all the terms of the reconciliation agreements, which were guaranteed by Russia, in south Syria to ensure the stability and security of the region. He concluded that Jordan remains engaged with all sides. 

Earlier in the day, Safadi met with Saeb Erekat, the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s (PLO) executive committee secretary and chief Palestinian negotiator, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Safadi kept Erekat abreast of the talks that His Majesty King Abdullah held in Washington, emphasising the centrality of the Palestinian issue, and that the two-state solution is the sole means by which to achieve security and complete stability in the region.

Safadi and Erekat reiterated the Jordanian and Palestinian stance on the requirements for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to realise peace. 

Both officials said that these requirements are represented in fulfilling the legal rights of the Palestinian people, especially their right to freedom and an independent state, within the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Safadi and Erekat warned against the repercussions of the absence of prospects for ending occupation, stressing the need for an effective international effort to resume the peace process. 

Both sides condemned unilateral Israeli measures to change the facts on the ground and undermine the two-state solution through building settlements and confiscating land, according to the statement. 

The diplomats further noted the importance of the UNRWA in providing its services, stressing the need to provide it with the essential financing to continue its humanitarian role. 

Erekat expressed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s appreciation of King Abdullah’s support for Palestinian efforts to achieve their legal rights and for continuous cooperation towards ending the occupation and realising complete and lasting peace.