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Ammon News - A Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is a goal Jordan works toward with partners in the international community and is a step toward establishing global peace and security and putting the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) into practice, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi.

The minister made the comments while attending the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the NPT meeting on Tuesday in New York, which was held in conjunction with the 10th NPT Review Conference.

He asserted that Jordan, the only Middle Eastern country in the group, joined the Stockholm Initiative because of its support for the NPT and commitment to working with the states parties to emphasize the need for adherence to the treaty and ensure that all states ratify it.

During the Stockholm Initiative meeting, which was hosted by Sweden and Germany, Safadi emphasized the need to approach the Middle East nuclear weapons issue from a broader perspective in order to rid the region from all WMD.

He emphasized that solutions to regional crises must be found in order to avoid the region being drawn into nuclear arms races and to refocus resources and efforts on development rather than armaments.

Separately, the Minister met with President of the Swiss Confederation / Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, and they discussed ways to strengthen the two countries' distinguished relations, the latest developments on regional and international arenas, and issues of mutual interest.

Safadi outlined His Majesty King Abdullah II's efforts to achieve security and stability in the region and to find a political horizon to achieve a just and all-encompassing peace based on the two-state solution.

For his part, Cassis emphasized the value of relations with Jordan and vowed to keep advancing them in a number of areas, praising the Kingdom's crucial role in overcoming regional challenges and achieving security and stability in the region under the leadership of His Majesty.

On the sidelines of the NPT 10th Review Conference, Safadi met with Phil Twyford, New Zealand's Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two friendly countries, as well as several regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two ministers emphasized the importance of the two countries working together to combat terrorism and extremism as part of the "Christchurch Call" and "Aqaba Meetings" initiatives.

The meeting also reviewed the obstacles facing the non-proliferation regime and emphasized the significance of achieving a universal NPT.

Safadi attended a high-level meeting on the development of women's roles in promoting international peace and security, hosted by Germany and Sweden in collaboration with UN Women which is headed by former Jordanian delegate to the UN, Sima Bahouth.

In a speech, he emphasized the value of empowering women to uphold global peace and security and to increase their involvement in fostering and sustaining peace.

He emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to empowering women and increasing their participation in the political and development processes, reviewing Jordan's legislative procedures and updates to increase women's participation in political life.