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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, Ayman Safadi, and Japanese foreign minister, Taro Kono, on Tuesday discussed developments in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue, the Syrian crisis and the war on terrorism, in addition to enhancing Jordanian-Japanese ties.

The ministers noted that the two countries had adopted an institutionalized approach to deepen relations and cement cooperation in the economic, trade and investment fields, which proved effective, stressing that all steps should be taken to open wider horizons for cooperation.

The discussion focused on the repercussions of the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy to the city, with Safadi reiterating that it was a violation of international resolutions and legitimacy, which underlined that East Jerusalem is occupied territory and that Jerusalem is a final status issue whose fate should be decided through direct negotiations and according to the relevant international resolutions.

Safadi stressed the need to abide by international resolutions, which deemed as null and void any unilateral moves to change the legal and historic status quo and impose new facts on the ground.

The minister briefed his Japanese counterpart on Jordan's role to protect Islamic and Christian holy shrines in Jerusalem and preserve the legal and historic status quo in the city, noting the affirmation of His Majesty King Abdullah, the Custodian of the holy sites, that Muslims and Christians have an eternal right in Jerusalem.

Safadi said a collective international endeavour is needed to launch serious and effective efforts to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution that guarantees the setting up of an independent Palestinian state along the 4th of June, 1967, borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, as the only avenue to achieve peace in the region.

He urged the international community to recognise an independent Palestinian on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Japanese foreign minister said his country will not move its embassy to Jerusalem as it considers the city as a final status issue whose fate should be decided through direct negotiation, reiterating support for the two-state solution and the need for effective efforts to achieve that goal.

Kono hailed Jordan's efforts to build peace, security and stability and advance the culture of peace and respect of others. He also valued the Kingdom for hosting and providing aid to Syrian refugees.

Safadi hailed Tokyo's economic aid to Jordan in its development process, and said the Kingdom welcomes a Japanese role to address the region's issues and supports its positive efforts to achieve regional development and peace.

The ministers agreed to pursue joint cooperation and coordination to overcome regional crises and counter terrorism and its dark ideology.