FM, Finnish counterpart talk ties, region

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Tuesday held talks with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination within the framework of the Jordanian-European partnership, which is witnessing continuous development in various fields.

On regional issues, the discussions focused on efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and to ensure necessary support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which suffers from a severe financial deficit. The Kingdom is exerting intensive efforts with international and regional partners to bridge the agency’s budget deficit.

Talks also focused on finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis, supporting refugees and host countries, aiding Iraq and fighting terrorism. 

On the issue of refugees, Safadi pointed out that the low support for refugees is “worrying”. He praised the important role played by Finland and its contribution to international efforts to provide humanitarian support to refugees and keep their cause on the international community’s agenda.

Safadi also expressed appreciation of the Finnish support to UNRWA, indicating that Finland is among the 20 countries that mainly support the agency.

He pointed out that the subject of supporting the agency is at the forefront of the agenda of his current tour, which includes Norway, Finland and Sweden, to ensure that the necessary funding is secured for the agency to continue its vital services to Palestinian refugees. 

Safadi voiced his aspiration to meet his Swedish counterpart Wednesday, to move forward with efforts aimed to mobilise international support for the agency.

He added that Jordan and Finland share many values, stressing that Finland is a strong partner of Jordan.

In turn, Haavisto welcomed Safadi, highlighting the depth of the relations between the two countries, pointing to the consensus on many issues, including climate change and human rights. 

The Finnish foreign minister stressed that the Kingdom's role is central to efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.

Haavisto touched on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economies of many countries in the Middle East, including Jordan.

He underlined his country's readiness to help Jordan in facing the repercussions of the pandemic.

He also praised the levels of cooperation between Jordan and Finland, especially in the areas of innovation and technology.

Haavisto praised Jordan's leading role in hosting refugees, stressing that his country will continue to provide support to UNRWA and organisations specialised in supporting refugees and their human rights.

He also expressed his concern about some developments in the region, especially in Lebanon, and their impact on neighbouring countries and the stability of the region. 

In response to a question, Safadi referred to the efforts made by the Kingdom in coordination and cooperation with its partners in the US, Europe and the region to achieve a state of calm during the recent escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories and to stop the Israeli violations in Jerusalem and Al Aqsa  Mosque, the aggression on the Gaza Strip as well as prevent the forced displacement of the people of Sheikh Jarrah, which would have constituted a war crime in accordance with international law. 

Safadi also stressed that Jordan will continue its constant efforts to maintain calm and progress towards achieving a just and lasting peace on the basis of the two-state solution that ensures the establishment of the independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as its capital, to live in security and peace alongside Israel in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative. 

He said that Jordan is talking to everyone, including the Israeli government, in order to move towards a just peace to prevent a recurrence of the recent escalation and to stop all measures that undermine the two-state solution and the chances of achieving a just peace. 

In response to a question about the issue of sedition, Safadi said that Jordan's stability is solid and sedition was nipped in the bud before it posed any threat to the security of the Kingdom, noting that the issue was dealt with according to the Jordanian approach distinguished by calm and wisdom.

He added that Jordan is now focusing on everything that is basic and necessary for its future and interests, namely the political reform that His Majesty the King formed a Royal committee to advance, as well as the economic reform that addresses economic challenges, ensures better performance of the Jordanian economy, fights poverty and creates job opportunities.