FM reiterates Jordan’s support for political solution in Syria

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen on Monday discussed efforts to realise a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

The talks stressed the importance of a political solution that is accepted by the Syrian people, maintains Syria’s unity and territorial integrity and restores peace and stability, the Jordan News Agency, Petra reported, quoting a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi, during a phone call with Pedersen, emphasised the Kingdom’s support for the UN’s role and efforts towards reaching a political solution in Syria, noting the importance of stepping up efforts, especially amid the unprecedented conditions caused by the coronavirus crisis, to battle the pandemic and its repercussions, the statement said.

Pedersen lauded the continuous Jordanian-UN cooperation in this arena, expressing gratitude for the Kingdom’s humanitarian role towards Syrian refugees.

Calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards Syrian refugees and provide the necessary support, especially in combatting the coronavirus pandemic, Safadi stressed that the Rukban camp for Syrian refugees, near the Jordanian border, is an “international responsibility”.

The Foreign minister said that aid delivery to the camp must be conducted from Syrian territory, stressing that the Kingdom will not allow the entry of any assistance to Rukban camp through its territory.

Safadi also said that Jordan will not allow the entry of any refugee to the Kingdom from the Rukban camp for any reason, emphasising that protecting Jordanians from the coronavirus remains the highest priority.

The two sides agreed to maintain coordination and consultation towards ending the Syrian crisis and ensure the necessary support to more than 1.3 million Syrians hosted in the Kingdom, which offers them “all possible services” despite the difficult circumstances the nation is experiencing, the statement said.