FM discusses ties, regional challenges with Iran leaders

AMMAN — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday discussed with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Judeh bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.

During the meeting, Judeh handed a written letter from His Majesty King Abdullah to Rouhani, conveying the Monarch's heartfelt wishes of progress and prosperity for the Iranian people.

Rouhani voiced his country's keenness on enhancing its relations with the Kingdom at all levels, commending the pivotal Jordanian role in the region and the world, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The two sides also reviewed a number of issues of mutual concern, stressing the importance of improving the level of cooperation among Islamic states in addition to supporting political and peaceful solutions to regional crises.

Judeh also held extended talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that focused on regional challenges as well as bilateral ties.

Judeh briefed Zarif on Jordan's unaltered positions towards the region's issues, especially the Kingdom's efforts to combat terrorism, radicalism and fanaticism and to promote the true essence of Islam through the Amman Message.

Judeh also reiterated that His Majesty the King, as the head of the Hashemite dynasty, rejects attempts to tarnish the image of Islam and to classify its followers into moderate and extreme, citing the Monarch's emphasis that Islam is only one, and is a religion of mercy, tolerance and supreme values.

Stressing the centrality of the Palestinian question in the view of Jordan’s foreign policy, Judeh reiterated that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital is the only solution to the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

The top diplomat also said that the establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of relevant international resolutions is at the heart of the Kingdom’s higher interests as well as other final status issues, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, water and security. 

Judeh explained that Jordan believes in political solutions and dialogue as the best means to solve all the region’s woes. 

The top diplomat also said that Jordan will preside over the UN Security Council for the second time as of the beginning of April and also the Arab League’s Foreign Ministers Council this month, noting that this shows the world’s recognition and appreciation of the Jordanian diplomacy.

For his part, Zarif also highlighted the Jordanian vital role at the regional and international levels, voicing his country’s keenness on enhancing its relations with the Kingdom in all fields.