FM conveys King’s message to Egypt president

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Safadi conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah’s greetings and message on regional developments and ways to strengthen strategic relations to President Sisi.

The Jordanian foreign minister briefed the Egyptian president on the talks His Majesty held with US President Joe Biden and US officials during the King’s visit to the US.

The briefing came under the framework of the ongoing coordination and consultation between the King and President Sisi on ways to enhance cooperation and confront regional challenges to serve Arab causes and the interests of the two countries.

Safadi stressed keenness to increase coordination and cooperation in various fields, as a reflection of the strategic Jordanian-Egyptian relations.

Sisi sent his greetings to His Majesty King Abdullah, highlighting willingness to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially economy and commerce. 

The Egyptian president expressed appreciation of Jordan’s efforts in caring for Egyptian expatriates in Jordan, praising the level of “firm relations” between both countries in all fields. 

Both sides expressed content with the current level of coordination, stressing the importance of bolstering economic relations, increasing trade and cooperating to face the challenges resulting from the spread of the coronavirus.

They also praised the tripartite cooperation between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, confirming the need to build on the outcomes of the last summit held in Baghdad in June and to take tangible measures to increase cooperation, especially in the energy sector and the industrial complexes projects in addition to the electricity grid interconnection projects.

On developments related to the Palestinian issue, they discussed coordination to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution as well as relaunching effective negotiations to move the peace process forward.

Safadi stressed the importance of the intensive Egyptian efforts to sustain the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, lauding Egypt’s reconstruction initiative in the strip.

He voiced Jordan’s pride in the ties binding the two countries and their bilateral journey, praising Egypt’s development and underlining the necessity to deepen cooperation through mutual investment and exchange of expertise.

Safadi pointed to Egypt’s journey of comprehensive development and its mega-national projects currently in progress. 

During the meeting, they reviewed the latest developments in the region including the situation in Lebanon, Syria and Libya.

Safadi also held extensive talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, during which they discussed expanding bilateral cooperation within the framework of the tripartite cooperation with Iraq.

On regional developments, the two ministers discussed efforts exerted to maintain calm in the occupied Palestinian territories, including occupied Jerusalem, and launch the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip. 

They stressed the need to mobilise effective international effort to resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in security and peace alongside Israel in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

They also emphasised supporting the Iraqi government’s efforts to achieve security and stability, protect Iraq’s sovereignty, serve the interests of its people, and consolidate its victory against terrorism.

Both ministers also focused on the developments aimed to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that restores its security and stability and preserves its unity.

Examining the developments in Libya, they stressed the need to end its crisis in accordance with a consensus reached by Libyans to achieve Libya’s security and interests and ensure the withdrawal of all mercenaries and foreign forces.

Shoukry updated Safadi on the issue of the Renaissance Dam.

Safadi affirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering support for Egypt’s efforts to reach an agreement that preserves its rights and the rights of all parties in the Nile waters in accordance with international law, stressing that Egypt’s water security is part of Arab national security.

The two ministers agreed to continue communication and coordination in implementation of the directives of the leaderships of the two countries in a manner that serves Arab causes and common interests.