Safadi says establishing Palestinian state 'only guarantee' to regional peace

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reiterated on Monday the urgency to end the aggression on Gaza, the war crimes and violations of international law.

During a joint press conference in Brussels with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, Safadi underlined that the only way for the Palestinians, Israelis and the entire region to enjoy peace is by establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"Our focus has to be now on ending this war [on Gaza], this humanitarian catastrophe and the application of international law," Safadi said. 

The news conference was held on the sidelines of the 15th meeting of the Jordan-EU Association Council, which was co-chaired by Safadi and Borrell.

"We are looking forward for intensified joint efforts with the EU to mitigate the consequences of regional crises on the Kingdom so that it can move ahead with its economic reforms," Safadi said.

On the Syrian refugee crisis and its impact on Jordan, Safadi said that the Kingdom will not allow the existing situation to continue, explaining that  the solution lies in the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. He reiterated Jordan's commitment to providing a dignified life for the refugees but stressed the need for continued international support.

Borrell and Varhelyi underlined the strategic EU-Jordan partnership, vowing committeemen to supporting the Kingdom's development and modernisation endeavours.