Ammon News -
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, on Monday held comprehensive talks on ways to strengthen partnership between the two countries and reflect them into broader cooperation in the economic, investment, educational and defense fields.
During the talks they held in the context of the first round of annual political consultations that the two countries agreed to institutionalize in 2019, the two ministers also discussed developments related to the Palestinian issue, the Syrian crisis, the refugee issue, the fight against terrorism, and supporting Iraq.
In the meeting, the two ministers said they would continue developing and expanding the solid friendship between the two countries in various fields.
Safadi expressed appreciation for Norway's support to help Jordan face the burden of refugees and its continued support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Both officials said they would continue seeking a political horizon to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, which, Safadi added, would only be achieved by adopting the two-state solution in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.
While Safadi lauded Norway's support for UNRWA, he urged the international community to secure the funding the UN agency needs to continue providing its vital services to Palestinian refugees.
Safadi also called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the Syrian refugees and their host countries.
Soreide stressed her country's keenness to develop ties with Jordan and expressed its appreciation of Jordan's role and efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah to enhance security and stability, lauding Jordan's great humanitarian role in hosting refugees.
In joint press statements with the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Safadi stressed the importance of the talks that was held to enhance bilateral cooperation and to discuss efforts aimed at resolving regional crises.
Safadi emphasized that Norway is a friendly country and an effective partner for Jordan, pointing out that "the relationship between the two royal families is a very strong relationship, and we recall the last state visit of their Majesties to Jordan before the pandemic, which once again emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two friendly countries."
Safadi expressed hope that cooperation would increase between the two countries in the fields of education, investment, tourism, defense and combating terrorism, which constitutes a common threat that must be defeated militarily, security and ideologically.
Safadi added that today's meeting was an opportunity to discuss areas of joint cooperation between the two countries in addition to a number of regional issues, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue and how to work together to find a political horizon for resuming negotiations and achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
Safadi also thanked Norway for its important and effective role through its chairmanship of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee to Coordination of International Aid to the Brotherly Palestinian People (AHLC), which contributes to pushing for a political and economic horizon to improve the living conditions of the brotherly Palestinian people.
Regarding the crisis in Syria, Safadi underlined the need to move quickly to find a political solution to end this tragedy and restore Syria's safety, security and role in the region.
Safadi expressed appreciation for the support provided by Norway to the Kingdom to help it bear the burdens of hosting Syrian refugees, and said, "Jordan has shouldered the greatest burden as a result of the crises that afflict the region, which have greatly affected the education sector and infrastructure. We must now move forward and work together to meet the needs of refugees, which have shifted from humanitarian to developmental nature."
In turn, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed her thanks for the opportunity to discuss many issues of common concern, adding that the situation in the region and the peace process in the Middle East were discussed, and she praised Jordan's efforts in hosting Syrian refugees, and that more Norwegian support to the Kingdom was discussed in this context.
Soreide referred to the challenges facing the region and surrounding the Kingdom, and added that the Syrian crisis was discussed, pointing out to the Norwegian efforts with members of the Security Council in July, which led to a unanimous decision on renewing the UN mandate to introduce humanitarian aid across the border into Syria, while emphasizing the importance of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
"We also discussed our joint efforts to combat violent extremism," she added, referring to the cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the United Nations to coordinate and work on these issues.
Minister Soreide stated that the important economic and political reforms directed by His Majesty the King were discussed.
She also noted that the human rights situation was discussed in addition to the deep bilateral cooperation between the two Kingdoms, including trade and military cooperation, pointing out to the successful state visit of the King and Queen of Norway last year to Jordan, stressing that Jordan is a strong and reliable partner for Norway in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, signed a memorandum of political consultations between Jordan and Norway on the sidelines of the summit meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah and King Harald V, which was held in Jordan in March 2020 to frame cooperation and coordination between the two countries on regional issues and challenges, in addition to cooperation and coordination with regard to bilateral issues.
In addition, Safadi met with Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in Norwegian Parliament, Representative Anniken Huitfeldt and her First deputy chair, Michael Tetzschner, at the Norwegian Parliament headquarters, during which they discussed frameworks for strengthening bilateral ties based on a deep partnership and common values.
The meeting also dealt with regional developments, and focused on finding a real political horizon to launch serious and effective negotiations on the basis of the two-state solution.
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.
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