FM, Japanese counterpart talk 'solid ties' in Amman

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday met with Japanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Keisuke Suzuki over means to enhance cooperation in the economic and defence fields, as well as efforts exerted in the war against terrorism.

Discussions during the meeting covered endeavours to overcome regional challenges in a way that realises security and stability as part of continuous strategic dialogue between the two countries, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.  

Talks also focused on the latest regional and international developments and efforts to reach solutions to crises in the Middle East. 

Safadi noted that launching a strategic dialogue with Japan at the political and military levels during His Majesty King Abdullah's visit to Tokyo in 2018 resulted in creating further opportunities to enhance "solid ties" between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural, security and defence fields. 

The foreign minister acquainted Suzuki with the government's four-part programme aimed at improving the Kingdom's economic performance and increasing growth rates. He praised the continued Japanese support for the national economic development process and for plans to deal with the repercussions of regional crises, mainly the Syrian refugee crisis. 

Safadi highlighted the importance of the Japanese role in the region and its position on certain issues, commending Tokyo's support of the two-state solution to solve the Palestinian conflict.

In this regard, he stressed that meeting the Palestinians' rights to freedom and establishing their independent state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions, is the only means to realise the comprehensive peace. 

The minister also expressed the Kingdom's appreciation for Japan's support to UNRWA, highlighting the importance of the agreement signed on Saturday between Japan and UNRWA, under which Japan will provide the agency with $11 million in aid to contribute to easing UNRWA's financial deficit. 

For his part, Suzuki voiced his country's keenness to develop strategic partnership with Jordan and continue consultation and coordination over regional developments and efforts to overcome crises. 

He also commended Jordan's "important role" in realising peace and stability in the region and the Kingdom's humanitarian role in hosting Syrian refugees, reiterating Japan's commitment to support Amman and alleviate burdens on the Kingdom resulting from regional crises.