Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday discussed bilateral relations and regional developments during a phone call.
According to Jordan News Agency, the two ministers affirmed their commitment to strengthening Jordanian-Australian ties and expanding cooperation across various fields in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries and their peoples.
Their conversation focused on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Safadi stressed the urgency of joint international action to halt the Israeli aggression on the besieged enclave and reach a comprehensive, lasting ceasefire agreement. He also underscored the need to implement a detainee exchange deal and ensure the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which he described as facing a worsening humanitarian catastrophe due to the Israeli offensive.
Safadi expressed appreciation for Australia's cooperation with Jordan in supporting the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid.
He also highlighted the need to de-escalate tensions in the occupied West Bank and to end all illegal Israeli measures that undermine the two-state solution. He condemned continued attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem, warning against violations of the city's legal and historical status quo.
Safadi reiterated that the only viable path to a just and lasting peace is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty along the pre-June 4, 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, in accordance with international legitimacy and UN resolutions.
The two ministers also discussed regional and international efforts aimed at ensuring that the upcoming international peace conference, scheduled to be held this month in New York under Saudi-French leadership, delivers tangible results including broader international recognition of the State of Palestine.
Both agreed to maintain coordination and cooperation on matters of shared concern.