Safadi, Luxembourg FM review ties, regional developments

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday received, at the ministry's headquarters, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jen Asselborn.

Safadi and Asselborn discussed ways to enhance the distinguished relations between the two countries as well as their cooperation in various fields bilaterally and within the framework of the EU, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

They also reviewed regional and international developments of common interest, foremost of which are developments related to the Palestinian cause and international efforts aimed to launch “serious” negotiations between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides to achieve a comprehensive and just peace on the basis of the two-state solution, and the cessation of illegal Israeli practices that undermine the chances of achieving peace in the region. 

In joint press statements, Safadi stressed that Jordan's relation with Luxembourg is “strong and is clearly developing, and the strength of this relationship is also reflected in the role that Luxembourg plays within the framework of the EU”, according to the statement.

Welcoming his counterpart, Safadi noted that Asselborn’s visit provided an opportunity to discuss the development of bilateral relations and bolstering cooperation, whether in the bilateral framework or within the EU.

Safadi highlighted that the talks focused on developments in the region, particularly those related to the Palestinian cause, stressing that the Kingdom agrees with Luxembourg that a two-state solution based on international law is the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

Safadi stressed the need to return to effective negotiations towards achieving this solution and to stop all Israeli measures that undermine the two-state solution, such as building and expanding settlements.

He emphasised the need to maintain the calm that followed the events of the last period, noting that this requires stopping all steps that triggered the escalation in the first place.

Safadi said that they discussed the necessity of not evacuating the residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood from their homes, because this would constitute a war crime that the international community cannot accept, adding that Jordan’s position is consistent with wanting a just, comprehensive and lasting peace and intensifying all efforts aimed to “find a political horizon” and returning to “serious and effective negotiations” to achieve this.

The Kingdom continues to work with all its partners to reach a just and comprehensive peace whose only path is the two-state solution that embodies the independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 lines, he said.

He stressed the need to respect the legal and historical status quo in occupied Jerusalem and its holy sites, underlining that the Kingdom will continue to work with all partners and do everything possible to protect the Arab, Islamic and Christian identity of the holy sites.

His Majesty King Abdullah is the Custodian of these holy sites. Preserving the existing legal and historical status in the holy sites and preserving the identity of the holy sites is a responsibility and priority for His Majesty, and thus a continuous effort for the Kingdom, he highlighted.

Safadi described the EU as having a major role in efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, noting that "there is room to move now in light of what the recent escalation has shown that it is not possible to jump over the Palestinian cause, and that the Palestinian cause is the core of the conflict in the region, and that true peace is will not be achieved without solving it on the basis of peoples' acceptance according to the approved references”.

Safadi noted that the positive positions of the new US administration, which were represented in re-announcing the opening of the US Consulate in East Jerusalem, restoring support for UNRWA and restoring support for the Palestinian National Authority, the position on the settlements, the position on displacement, all confirm the need to continue to work together and intensify efforts to move forward.

In turn, the Luxembourg Foreign Minister affirmed that Jordan is one of the most important countries when it comes to the peace process and its achievement, noting that Jordan and His Majesty the King have a special and distinguished role in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites.

He added that Jordan had to host more than 2.3 million Palestinian refugees, in addition to 1.3 million Syrian refugees. 

Asselborn stressed that the recent events in Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Israel confirmed the importance of the Palestinian cause. 

He said: "We as Europeans, if we want to play an important role in the international community, must speak in accordance with internationally recognised standards, the basis of which is that Jerusalem is the capital of the two states on the June 4, 1967 borders.”

With regard to providing adequate support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Luxembourg foreign minister stressed the agency's role in providing the necessary educational and health services, especially for children in Gaza, highlighting in this regard the need for the international community to support the agency's budget. 

He also praised Jordan's important and pivotal role in supporting its work. He affirmed that Luxembourg and the European Union stand by Jordan to continue its pivotal role in the region.