Safadi, Bulgarian counterpart discuss bilateral relations, war on Gaza

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday held talks with his Bulgarian counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, that focused on the situation in Gaza and the "catastrophic" consequences of the ongoing war.

The talks also focused on efforts to end hostilities, ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid into the strip.

Discussions also covered bilateral relations and areas of common interest, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi stressed the need for Israel to comply with international law and humanitarian principles and underlined the international call for an immediate end to the escalating war against Gaza.

In a joint press conference following the meeting, Safadi said that the discussions went over ways to enhance cooperation, particularly in the fields of education and tourism.

On engagements within the framework of the Aqaba Process, Safadi expressed the Kingdom's keenness to Bulgaria's hosting of future meetings in this year. 

He noted that both sides agreed to resume regular political consultations, to be launched within two months, following the identification of relevant agenda items.

Turning to the situation in Gaza, Safadi decried the worsening humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli aggression and reiterated the Kingdom's firm stance on the urgent need for a cessation of aggression, the statement said.

He also drew attention to the increasing suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, citing alarming reports of starvation due to acute shortages of essential goods.

Safadi also underlined the need for intensified efforts to accelerate the delivery of vital aid to Gaza, highlighting the ongoing airdrops carried out by the Kingdom. 

"However, these efforts remain insufficient to meet the urgent needs of more than 2.3 million Palestinians facing severe hardship," he said.

Jordan and Bulgaria see eye to eye on a two-state solution, as the sole way to achieving regional security and stability, Safadi said.

For her part, Gabriel said, "Jordan is a key partner for Bulgaria in the region and next October the two nations will celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations." 

She added that her visit, the first to Amman since she took office, is aimed at promoting political dialogue between the two nations and enhancing cooperation in various strategic areas while aligning efforts to address regional and global challenges.

Gabriel underlined Bulgaria's support for Jordan's initiatives in the fields of security, defence and anti-terrorism, and reaffirmed her country's readiness to host the Aqaba Process initiative.

 She stressed the importance of economic cooperation and investment ventures, highlighting the Joint Investment Committee as a key instrument to strengthen partnerships in various economic sectors. 

She also highlighted prospects for cooperation in the field of ICT.

"Our discussions also covered tourism cooperation, with many Bulgarians expressing a keen interest in visiting Jordan. This interest is fuelled by Jordan's rich history, culture and renowned hospitality, which are attracting global attention," Gabriel added.

Turning to the urgent situation in Gaza, Gabriel expressed her concern about the humanitarian crisis and praised Jordan's role as a regional peacemaker. 

She pledged support for Jordan's peace planning and life-saving efforts.