FM discusses Arab summit plans, regional developments with Arab, foreign diplomats

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke with his foreign and Arab counterparts on Monday and Tuesday. 

Meeting with some in person, and speaking with others over the phone, Safadi discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and the upcoming Arab summit, which will be hosted by Jordan.

Safadi spoke by phone with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, discussing preparations for the Arab summit, to be held on March 29, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported

Aboul Gheit also congratulated Safadi on his appointment on Sunday as foreign minister. 

In a separate phone call, Safadi discussed various issues and developments in the Middle East with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry. 

Also on Tuesday, the foreign minister and Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, special envoy of the UN secretary general for Yemen, discussed the latest developments in Yemen and efforts to resolve the conflict.

The minister affirmed Jordan’s support for efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, in line with international terms of reference, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative and the outcomes of national dialogue.

The UN envoy praised Jordan’s cooperation with the world body and its efforts to help resolve the crisis in Yemen.

Safadi also met with Fabian Hamilton, a British Labour Party politician, who is shadow minister of state for Europe and MP for Leeds North East, Petra reported. 

Discussions covered efforts to combat terrorism and extremism as well as efforts to revive Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations, which would establish a sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. 

Such a Palestinian state would have East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Safadi highlighted the importance of stopping any Israeli provocations which could sabotage the peace process, stressing the need to preserve the status quo and protect holy sites in Palestine. 

On Syria, he reiterated that the call for a political solution based on the outcomes of the Geneva I Conference.

For his part, Hamilton praised Jordan’s regional and international efforts, and its role in seeking security and stability in the region.

On Monday, Safadi spoke with Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa over the phone and discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.