Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Tuesday held a virtual meeting with the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to discuss cooperation and coordination on regional issues, as part of systematic efforts for communication to boost the bilateral partnership.
Discussion also covered joint action to address the COVID-19 pandemic, developments on the peace process in Palestine, the Syrian crisis, the fight against terrorism, efforts to support Iraq, and the Libyan crisis.
Safadi conveyed the condolences of His Majesty King Abdullah II to the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, and His Majesty's and the kingdom's willingness to provide support to Germany to address the pandemic.
On this front, Maas also affirmed his country's solidarity with the Kingdom in the face of the disease and its ramifications, highlighting keenness to provide all the support Jordan needs.
The two ministers reviewed the economic and health consequences of the virus, underlining solidarity and cooperation in light of the resulting economic repercussions due to the preventive measures that were taken.
Safadi lauded Berlin's support as the second largest donor to the Kingdom in the face of economic challenges, while his German counterpart said his country regards Amman as a key regional partner, commending its positions and efforts to achieve regional security and stability in addition to its humanitarian role in hosting refugees.
On developments of the Palestinian cause, the two ministers underscored the need to join efforts to launch serious and effective negotiations to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace on the basis of a two-state solution and in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
Safadi and Maas rejected any unilateral Israeli steps to annex Palestinian lands, and warned that these steps, if taken, would undermine the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve peace.
In this regard, Safadi hailed the position of Berlin, which will take over the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council and the Council of the European Union next July, in support of a two-state solution and pushing for real negotiations to achieve it.
He stressed the need for the international community to take effective steps towards preventing Israel from making this "illegal step," which will undermine the chances of achieving a comprehensive and just peace as a strategic choice that was adopted by the Palestinians and all Arab countries.
On financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Safadi hailed Germany's generous and continuous support for the agency, which faces financial difficulties threatening its ability to provide vital services to Palestinian refugees, especially at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading.
Germany will be one of the countries attending a virtual conference organized by the Kingdom and Sweden on Wednesday to discuss ways to mobilize support for the UNRWA.
On the Syrian crisis, Amman and Berlin discussed developments on the efforts exerted to solve the crisis, underlining that the two see eye-to-eye on supporting international efforts to reach a political solution.
Safadi and Maas affirmed the need to provide the necessary allocations to support refugees and deliver humanitarian and medical assistance to Syrians, especially after the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They also highlighted the importance of supporting Iraq in its efforts to establish security and stability as well as reconstruction, affirming commitment to work within the framework of the Global Coalition to Combat Terrorism and to support Iraq in combating terrorist gangs.
Safadi pointed out that it is vital for regional stability that Iraq overcomes all political, economic and security challenges, adding that the Kingdom, under the guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II, stands behind Iraq and supports it with all its capabilities.
Safadi and Mas agreed that a political solution is the only way to solve the Libyan crisis, highlighting the need to stop the fighting. Safadi hailed Germany's efforts to solve the Libyan crisis and its support for the outputs of the Berlin conference.