FM, Cypriot counterpart discuss situation in occupied Palestinian territories

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday discussed the dangerous situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and efforts to halt illegal Israeli practices and its aggression on Gaza.

Safadi and Christodoulides, who is visiting the Kingdom, emphasised the continued coordination in efforts to resolve regional crises and achieve security and stability, expressing keenness to enhance Jordanian-Cypriot cooperation in various fields by the trilateral cooperation mechanism  with Greece, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

During a joint press remarks following the discussions, Safadi said that “the fundamental issue is the need to launch a real international effort to safeguard Palestinians and protect the region from historical repercussions of continued tensions and aggression on Gaza”.

“The aggression must stop,” he said. A comprehensive and just peace is achieved by ending occupation and granting Palestinians security and stability on the basis of the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Safadi also went over the Kingdom’s intensive efforts to stop the Israeli violations against the Palestinians, stressing that the issue of Jerusalem, notably Islamic and Christian holy sites and Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, is a top priority for the Kingdom and His Majesty King Abdullah, the Custodian of these holy shrines.

“The condition is very dangerous, what is happening is rejected and condemned,” he said. 

The foreign minister called on the international community to shoulder its responsibility and provide protection for Palestinians and compel the Israeli side to respect the legal and historical status quo in   Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian territories and to stop its aggression that would push the region towards further escalation and conflict.

Safadi also expressed appreciation of Cyprus for its “clear” and supportive stances for international law and the two-state solution, highlighting Cyprus’ role in supporting peace efforts.

Besides coordination on regional challenges, talks also covered means of advancing bilateral ties in all fields, Safadi said.

Christodoulides, for his part, emphasised the necessity of respecting the Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem’s  Islamic and Christian holy sites, highlighting  the need to make every effort towards de-escalation. He stressed Cyprus' support for all initiatives aimed to prevent further losses.

He also urged the international community to work firmly to resume peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.