FM, Italian counterpart stress keenness to enhance cooperation

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio on Monday in Rome held a session in the presence of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Ahmed Huneiti and General Intelligence Department Director Major General Ahmad Husni and their Italian counterparts. 

During the session, both sides stressed keenness to enhance cooperation in various fields, increase coordination to face regional challenges and efforts to realise peace and stability, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The meeting shed light on the steps that Jordan and Italy will take to increase cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment, defence and security fields. 

Safadi and Di Maio reiterated that enhancing cooperation is a strategic goal that both countries will work on to serve joint interests and reach solutions to regional crises. 

The Palestinian cause topped the regional aspect of the dialogue, where Safadi stressed the centrality of the issue. 

The entire region will not enjoy peace and stability without reaching an end to the conflict based on the two-state solution that ends the occupation and results in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines withEast Jerusalem as its capital, Safadi said. 

Safadi added that the status quo, which“lacks a political horizon” for reaching the two-state solution, cannot continue. 

He stressed the need to intensify efforts to re-launch serious and effective negotiations to reach the solution and an“economic horizon” that ends Palestinian suffering. 

Safadi highlighted the importance of maintaining de-escalation through reconstruction in Gaza through the Palestinian National Authority.

He further highlighted respecting the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, stopping building settlements and confiscating lands, in addition to halting the forcible displacement of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrahand Silwanneighbourhoods.  

The minister also praised the Italian position supporting the two-state solution and UNRWA. 

Regionally, Safadi and Di Maio agreed that there is "no alternative" for a political solution in Syria to end the crisis and reviewed efforts exerted towards that end. 

They also discussed joint efforts in fighting terrorism, which poses a joint threat. 

The two sides expressed hope to continue under the umbrella of the Aqaba Meetings to defeat terrorism at military, security and ideological levels, the statement said. 

The ministers reviewed the positions of Jordan and Italy in supporting efforts to end the Libyan crisis through a political solution that all Libyans approve.

Talks also covered other regional issues, such as the Iranian nuclear deal, conditions in Lebanon and the latest developments in Afghanistan, as well as supporting Iraq and its government in reconstruction efforts and ensuring the stability and victory it achieved over terrorism. 

Di Maio praised the Kingdom's role and His Majesty King Abdullah's efforts in solving crises, enhancing dialogue and realising regional peace and stability, as well as the Kingdom's humanitarian role in hosting refugees. 

Safadi met on Tuesday with PieriFassino head of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and other members of the committee over means to enhance relations between the countries in various fields, the latest regional developments and efforts to reach solutions to Middle East crises.