Two-state solution ‘only road’ to peace, gov’t source affirms

AMMAN — There is no alternative to the two-state solution and the Palestinian issue should be resolved politically, where any economic steps that can help improve the conditions in Palestine are welcome, but have to be within a framework of a political solution, an official source said on Tuesday.

The Kingdom's stance towards the Palestinian cause is unwavering, where Jordan supports Palestinians’ rights to an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution, especially since Amman constantly champions this cause, mainly amid recent international developments, said the source.

The Palestinian cause should never leave international agendas, the source stressed, adding that His Majesty King Abdullah's meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is significant and part of the coordination between Jordan and Palestine.

He also said that the Kingdom enjoys a balanced, rational and firm position based on fixed stances that ensure national interests, where the “only road” that leads to peace is through the two-state solution, stressing the importance of strengthening the Palestinian National Authority.

He stressed the importance of refraining from any unilateral procedures that can provoke Muslims during Ramadan, especially since such acts can lead to crises.

The source said that the US administration understands the importance of Jordan’s role towards reaching the two-state solution, where the Kingdom's goal is to keep the Palestinian cause alive in the international arena.

He also said that the Israeli president is scheduled to visit the Kingdom on Wednesday.

On Syria, the source said that Jordan is keen to reach a political solution for its northern neighbour, especially since the Kingdom hosts some 1.3 million Syrian refugees, 50 per cent of whom are less than 15 years old.

He said that Jordan alone cannot bear the responsibility of hosting refugees, where the Kingdom always delivers a message to donor counties and relevant international organisations urging them to honour their pledges of supporting the Kingdom in its role.

The source also reiterated the significance of maintaining calm in Syria, mainly in the south, noting that around 70 per cent of Syrian refugees in Jordan are from the southern part of Syria.

He also referred to a committee that was formed by the Arab League as part of Arab efforts to reach a solution to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, noting that a committee delegation is due to visit Moscow on April 4 and is scheduled to meet Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers.