FM attends opening of 76th UNGA session

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Tuesday participated in the opening the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

On the sidelines of the session, Safadi held a series of meetings with a number of his counterparts and officials attending the UNGA. The talks focused on bilateral ties and the latest regional developments, notably those related to the Palestinian cause, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki, as part of the Jordanian-Palestinian coordination towards opening “a real political horizon” to end the occupation and achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The two top diplomats discussed means to mobilise support for UNRWA to help the organisation continue providing vital services to over five million Palestinian refugees, in the agency’s five areas of operation. 

Safadi also discussed with Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Ramtane Lamamra ways to further advance Jordanian-Algerian relations in various fields and other regional developments. 

In a separate meeting, Safadi and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani discussed means to strengthen relations between the two kingdoms in various fields, in implementation of the directives of the two leaderships.

In another meeting, Safadi met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and reiterated the Kingdom's keenness to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Safadi and Marsudi agreed to continue coordination in all international and regional forums, notably within the framework of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to best serve issues of mutual concern, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause.

Talks also referred to the latest developments in Afghanistan.

The statement added that Safadi also met Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg over prospects of bilateral cooperation. The two ministers agreed to continue bilateral consultation and coordination, within the framework of the EU.

Safadi met with the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and held talks, over the phone, with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

Talks focused on ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries in various fields, as well as discussed the latest regional and international developments.

Safadi also expressed appreciation for the US’ supportive stance towards the Kingdom, mainly to face its economic challenges and support its comprehensive development process.

He also voiced appreciation for the US’ efforts towards supporting UNRWA to allow the mission to complete its mandate.

Talks also touched on efforts to resolve regional crises and achieve regional security and stability, the statement added.

On Monday, Safadi met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. He emphasised the importance of maintaining cooperation between the Kingdom and UNHCR to mobilise the necessary international support to help meet the needs of the Syrian refugees hosted by the Kingdom.

Safadi, during the meeting, urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards refugees, to sustain the delivery of basic services. He warned against the repercussions of the decline in international support for refugees.

Helping refugees is an international responsibility that should not be borne by the refugee-hosting countries alone, Safadi said. 

Grandi commended the Kingdom's humanitarian role in hosting Syrian refugees.

Safadi, also on Monday, participated in the annual consultative meeting of the Council of the League of Arab States at the level of foreign ministers with the aim to coordinate positions on regional and international issues to best serve common interests.

The top official reiterated Jordan's support of joint Arab action, emphasising the necessity to bolster coordination over regional issues to best serve common Arab interests.