Our relationship with US is strategic and we aren't over-optimistic: FM


24-02-2021 12:00 AM

Ammon News -

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi said that Jordan's relationship with the United States of America is strategic, constant and based on sound foundations and mutual interests.

Speaking to a local TV show Tuesday evening, Safadi said the relationship with the new US administration is good and based on frankness and honesty, indicating that there is an old friendship between His Majesty King Abdullah and US President Joe Biden, who made his first call in the region with His Majesty.

He indicated that the US administration has shown positive signs on the Palestinian issue so far, and Jordan is looking forward to working with this administration and there are continuous contacts, stressing that the international community unanimously agreed on the importance of the two-state solution and there is an international pressure to stop Israel's unilateral measures that would undermine the two-state solution.

Responding to a question, Safadi said that the alternative to the two-state solution is the one-state option that puts Israel in front of two options, "Either to be an apartheid state or it gives full political rights to the Palestinian people, so we have to think ahead."

He added that Jordan is not over-optimistic, and there are positive signs and there are upcoming Israeli elections, and the candidates to win are not among those committed to the two-state solution, affirming that Jordan continues to work regionally and internationally to achieve the two-state solution that has no alternative, and that King Abdullah is leading work and efforts to bring the Palestinian issue back to the fore.

He said that serious and effective negotiations must be re-launched, as the opportunity is now available, underlining the importance of the US role and the role of the European Union in this regard.

He noted that Jordan's relationship with the Palestinian Authority is excellent, and communication is continuous in order to support Palestinians on an ongoing basis, stressing the importance of unifying Palestinians.

Safadi said that the relationship with Israel is governed by the peace treaty, and Jordan’s voice remained loud in rejecting any unilateral Israeli actions, and we are talking with the Israeli side about issues that represent the highest Jordanian interests, such as transport between the borders, water and exports to the West Bank, pointing out that Jordan's voice was strong in confronting any measure that conflicts with international law or Jordanian interests.

He stressed the importance of Hashemite custodianship in protecting holy sites and preserving the status quo in Jerusalem, noting that custodianship is a trust, responsibility and priority for Jordan.

He pointed out to the importance of the European Union’s role, which has distinguished ties with Jordan, in supporting Jordan’s efforts and its role in receiving and accommodating refugees and the Palestinian cause. There is talk about holding a Munich group meeting and organizing an international conference to support UNRWA during the coming months, financially and politically, and supporting Jordan in facing economic challenges.

Safadi reiterated Jordan's position calling for supporting the security and stability of Iraq, and the importance of neutralizing it from the consequences of regional tensions, stressing that protecting Iraq's security is a protection for the security of the entire region.

He highlighted the existing cooperation with Iraq and the ongoing discussions in the housing sector, oil and infrastructure, the joint industrial zone, and attracting investments, indicating that there is an agreement for the electricity linkage with Iraq, and there is talk about an electricity linkage with Egypt, and agreements have been signed and trade exchange between the two countries has increased.

He indicated that the framework agreement for the Iraqi oil pipeline project between Basra and Aqaba is expected to be signed, which is a huge project.

On the other hand, Safadi indicated that there is a Jordanian embassy in Tehran and an Iranian embassy in Amman, and there is diplomatic communication, stressing that all Arab countries want relations with Iran "and we do not want conflicts in the region."

He affirmed Jordan's support for the Gulf reconciliation that supports joint Arab action, noting that "the stage we are in is one of the most complex in the history of the region, and everyone loses if the challenges escalate, and everyone builds on improving relations and strengthening joint Arab action, and reconciliation will enhance joint Arab action in facing challenges. It is unacceptable that there is a crisis in an Arab country and that we do not work to contain it, and this is the premise on which we are building."

He said that the recent Cairo meeting reaffirmed the conditions for resolving the Palestinian issue, and there is a commitment to peace as a strategic option and the embodiment of the sovereign Palestinian state, "and for us to have a single Arab position."

Safadi discussed his visit to Qatar and conveying a message from His Majesty the King to the Emir of Qatar, describing as "excellent" the relations with Qatar.

He added that the Syrian crisis has been on going for a long time and there are 1.3 million Syrians in Jordan, and Jordan has provided everything it can to serve them, stressing that the Syrian crisis must end and the destruction and fighting stop, and Jordan is engaged in all efforts to reach a political solution in Syria.

Safadi spoke about the role of the Foreign Ministry in bringing vaccines to Jordan in coordination with the Health Ministry, as it employs its diplomatic ties to bring vaccines, indicating that the supply is less than the demand for vaccines in the world.

He indicated that the number of Jordanian foreign missions amounts to 59, in 88 countries, and the number of Jordanian diplomats abroad is 231, and there are 52 diplomats inside the ministry, and each embassy has been asked to present an annual plan to attract investment to Jordan.




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