Category: Government Policy

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, held talks in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, with Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pekka Haavisto.

 

The talks dealt with enhancing cooperation in many fields, including technology, environment, agriculture and tourism, and addressing the impacts of the Corona pandemic, in order to bolster ties between the two countries.

 

The two ministers also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination within the framework of the Jordanian-European partnership, which is witnessing constant development in various fields.

 

On the regional aspect of the talks, Safadi and Haavisto focused on efforts to find real political prospects to achieve a just and lasting peace and to ensure the provision of the necessary support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which suffers from a severe financial deficit, the Kingdom is making intensive efforts with international and regional partners to bridge it.

 

Talks between Haavisto and Safadi, who arrived in Helsinki on the second stop of a tour that started in Norway yesterday and will end in Sweden tomorrow, also dealt with developments in the region, including efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, support for refugees and host countries, supporting Iraq and fighting terrorism.

 

In a press conference with the Finnish Foreign Minister, Safadi said that talks discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and the solid ties between the two countries, especially in the fields of tourism, investment, technology, agricultural technology and other fields.

 

Safadi indicated that he and his Finnish counterpart discussed regional issues and efforts to resolve the region’s crises, adding, “We continue to seek to mobilize international efforts to restore momentum to the peace process and find a political horizon for resolving the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.”

 

Source: Jordan News Gazette

Safadi pointed out that the low volume of support for refugees is worrying, lauding Finland’s important role and its contribution to international efforts to provide humanitarian support to refugees and keep their cause on the international agenda.

 

He also expressed his hope to continue working with Finland to ensure continued support for refugees and host communities, including Jordan.

 

Safadi also valued the support provided by Finland to the UNRWA, noting that Finland is among the twenty countries that provided the most support to the UN agency.

 

He added that the issue of supporting the UNRWA is at the forefront of the agenda of his current tour, which includes Norway, Finland and Sweden, to ensure that the necessary funding is secured for the agency to continue providing basic services to Palestinian refugees.

 

Safadi said he was looking forward to meeting his Swedish counterpart on Wednesday to push efforts aimed at mobilizing international support for the agency.

 

He added that Jordan and Finland share many values, and said he was looking forward to continue working with Finland to build on the strong relations that unite the two countries and increase cooperation to confront the region’s crises, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue, the Syrian crisis, supporting Iraq and Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism, which poses a threat to all, stressing that Finland is a strong partner for Jordan.

 

Source: Jordan News Gazette

Safadi reviewed the targeted efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis in a way that restores Syria’s security and stability, preserves its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and provides for the voluntary return of refugees.

 

In turn, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in Norwegian Parliament lauded Jordan’s efforts in hosting Syrian refugees and providing them with services, care and education.

 

She also commended the level of bilateral relations between the two friendly Kingdoms, stressing her country’s keenness to strengthen bilateral ties in all fields, and to continue consultation and coordination on regional issues.

 

Norway contributed about $1.7 billion in humanitarian aid during the Syrian crisis. In 2021, Norway also contributed $14.7 million to the UNRWA budget programme.

 

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday met in Athens with Greece President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation in various sectors.

King Abdullah reaffirmed the deep-rooted historical relations between the two countries, signified by the long history of joint action on many issues and challenges, including the recent issues of COVID-19 and refugees.

His Majesty noted that these issues help in strengthening the bridges of cooperation between the two countries.

The King congratulated President Sakellaropoulou on the bicentennial of Greece’s War of Independence, which comes as Jordan celebrates its centennial.

“The message that I take away from leaving your lovely country is that we have a lot of work to do together, and I know that the future is extremely encouraging,” His Majesty said.

For her part, President Sakellaropoulou welcomed the King in Athens, which hosts the trilateral summit between Greece, Jordan and Cyprus, noting the importance of the bilateral relationship as well.

She said the two countries have exceptional bilateral relations because they have a shared vision and work towards regional peace.

The president described Jordan as a pillar of stability in the Middle East, and as a country with a dynamic presence and a voice of reason.

His Majesty and the Greek president discussed regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue, with the King reiterating the need to galvanise an active international role towards reaching just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Ahed Sweidat attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah, in Athens on Wednesday, met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis covering means of stepping up bilateral cooperation across all fields.

King Abdullah reiterated the importance of bolstering ongoing cooperation between Jordan, Greece, and Cyprus, in service of the three countries and peoples, as well as in service of development in the region.

His Majesty voiced appreciation for the success of the trilateral summit and bilateral meeting, saying there will be a lot of joint work and follow-up ahead.

For his part, the Greek prime minister announced that his country will provide Jordan with 150,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, as part of joint efforts to counter the pandemic.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis noted the importance of the trilateral summit and bilateral meeting, describing them as opportunities to bolster ties between Jordan and Greece, and identify areas of cooperation that go beyond the geopolitical agenda.

The meeting also covered the latest regional developments, and efforts to reach political solutions to regional crises.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Ahed Sweidat attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah, in Athens on Wednesday, met with Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades and discussed means of bolstering bilateral cooperation across various fields.

King Abdullah emphasised the importance of enhancing trilateral cooperation with Cyprus and Greece, in service of shared interests and the region.

Discussions also covered efforts to find political solutions to regional crises, to restore stability and security to its peoples.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Ahed Sweidat attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, Abdel Moneim Odat, on Tuesday held separate meetings with Ambassadors of Oman, Hilal bin Marhoon bin Salem Al-Maamari, and Kazakhstan, Aidarabek Tumatov, to discuss ways to strengthen joint parliamentary relations and develop cooperation in all fields.

During the meeting with the Omani ambassador, Owdat lauded the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Oman, expressing appreciation for Chairman of the Omani Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Assembly), Sheikh Khalid Al Maawali, “as consultation is ongoing to serve issues of concern to our two brotherly countries.”

He lauded Al Maawali’s contributions to the urgent meetings held recently in order to stand by the brotherly Palestinian people and support them against the Israeli attacks on them and their Islamic and Christian holy sites.

For his part, the Omani ambassador commended the two countries’ historical and solid relations, which are rooting day after day in to serve the two brotherly countries and peoples.

He said that positions of the two countries under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II and his brother, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said always go towards supporting the interests of our Arab and Islamic nations, pointing out to the level of coordination and permanent consultation between the two leaderships.

In a separate meeting with the Kazakh ambassador, Odat underlined the importance of strengthening parliamentary relations between the two countries and ways to advance them, and enhancing aspects of cooperation in the fields of economy, education and tourism, and the search for joint investment horizons.

“Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah, always believes in peace and dialogue as a way out of various crises,” Odat emphasized, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to serve and host refugees.

For his part, the Kazakh ambassador affirmed his country’s high appreciation for the Jordanian role led by King Abdullah in bringing about stability and security in the region, looking forward to bolstering prospects for cooperation with the Kingdom in all fields in a manner that achieves the interests of the two friendly peoples.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Chairperson of the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System, Samir Rifai, on Tuesday met with a number of southern Badia citizens, as part of the committee’s communication with various components of Jordanian society.

Rifai said that the committee is intensifying its efforts to present draft laws based on the principles of the Jordanian national identity, and contribute to achieving progress in modernizing the political system.

He indicated that opinions and ideas that are presented during meetings with various segments of society are important, and that they are taken seriously in the discussions conducted by the sub-committees.

Rifai added that the consensus within the committee is that the three Badia districts maintain their current seats while allowing their sons to run on national party lists as well as to run outside their constituencies in a way that enhances their political participation.

In turn, attendees presented their opinions and suggestions on the work of the committee, especially with regard to the election and political parties laws.

They emphasized that citizens of the Badia are, like the rest of the nation, part of the modernization and development process, and they seek more political participation that contributes to development and promotion of justice in their geographically expanding areas in three governorates.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi Monday met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt in Cairo and delivered his Majesty King Abdullah II’s letter on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Safadi, who is also the deputy prime minister, briefed al-Sisi on the King’s meetings with the U.S. president and senior officials in the King’s latest visit to the States.

President al-Sisi sent his greetings to the King and emphasised Cairo’s commitment to advance cooperation with Jordan, especially in the economic and investment areas.

He praised Jordan for its efforts in facilitating the Egyptian expatriates’ work in the Kingdom, highlighting the “strong” Jordan-Egypt level of cooperation on all levels.

The meeting discussed the trilateral summit that joined Jordan, Egypt and Iraq to bolster cooperation, and it stressed the need to build on the latest summit’s outputs that were held in Baghdad in June 2021 and to take measures that would ensure further cooperation between the three countries, especially on energy.

Also on the agenda were the Palestinian cause and the latest developments in the Mideast peace process as per the two-state solution and the resumption of negotiations.

Safadi noted the role of Egypt in upholding the ceasefire in Gaza and lauded Egypt for its initiative to rebuild the afflicted strip.

The meeting discussed developments in Lebanon, Syria, Libya and the region.

Safadi expressed Jordan’s pride in the “entrenched” ties between the Kingdom and Egypt and lauded Egypt’s development trajectory. He emphasised the Kingdom’s keenness to further its relations with Egypt through exchanging expertise and increasing investments.

In a separate meeting, Safadi talked with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on bilateral cooperation within the framework of the trilateral cooperation mechanism with Iraq.

The meeting also discussed developments in Palestine and occupied Jerusalem, in addition to efforts to rebuild Gaza.

They highlighted the importance of starting international efforts to reinvigorate the Mideast peace process and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the Jun 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

They also voiced support for Iraq in its efforts to uphold peace and security and protect its people and sovereignty against terrorism.

The top diplomats discussed the latest efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that would give the country back its stability and preserve its territorial integrity.

The developments in Libya were also discussed, as they stressed the need to end the crisis there as per the agreements hammered out by the Libyans in a way that would ensure the expulsion of “mercenaries” out of the country.

Shoukry briefed Safadi on the Renaissance Dam developments, as the latter reiterated Jordan’s “unflagging” support for Egypt’s position to reach an agreement that would ensure fair distribution of the Nile River water amongst all concerned parties.

Source: Jordan News Agency