Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, on Thursday discussed with Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, the region’s situation and a number of regional and international issues of common interest.
During their talks held remotely, Safadi and Hayashi affirmed the “solid, distinguished” partnership relations between the two friendly countries, and the joint keenness to further achieve “broader and deeper” cooperation in all fields, especially in the economic, investment and cultural fields, and enhance coordination towards efforts to resolve regional crises.
The duo discussed economic cooperation programs, investment opportunities in the fields of water, energy and infrastructure, Japanese support for Jordan’s development process, and Japan’s announcement to provide an amount of $100 million to the Kingdom, in the context of facing the Covid-19-related consequences, as part of a soft loan of $300 million previously agreed upon.
Safadi lauded Japan’s “supportive” stances for the Kingdom in facing economic challenges, the Covid-19-induced consequences, supporting Jordan’s sustainable development process, and its continuous support for Amman in bearing the refugee burdens.
Safadi also thanked Japan for its support to help bear the refugee burden and to international organizations working in this context.
The FM also valued Japan’s continued support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The Japanese FM, for his part, informed Safadi that his country is committed to continuing to support UNRWA and the UN organizations that are partners in efforts to help refugees, which makes assistance go for refugees and host communities.
The developments related to the Palestinian issue topped the regional axis of the two foreign ministers’ talks, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Valuing Japan’s adherence to the two-state solution, Safadi stressed the importance of Tokyo’s role in supporting international efforts to achieve comprehensive and just peace based on the two-state solution as the only way to Middle East settlement.
In this regard, Safadi also stressed the need to work to find a “real” political horizon and return to serious negotiations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, for which the two-state solution is the only way to peacemaking.
The two ministers also reviewed the efforts made to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, and endeavors to resolve other regional crises and achieve security and stability.
The Japanese minister stressed the strategic dimension of Jordanian-Japanese relations, and the main role led by His Majesty King Abdullah II to achieve security, stability and just peace in the region.
Hayashi valued Jordan’s humanitarian role towards the refugees, despite the resulting pressures.
The duo also touched upon the preparations for the tenth review conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) , to be held at the United Nations Headquarters next month in New York.
The two ministers affirmed the continued coordination regarding this file, through the Stockholm Initiative on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation treaty.
Safadi congratulated his Japanese counterpart on assuming his duties as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and expressed hope to continue joint work and coordination to serve the common interests.
Source: Jordan News Agency
