Safadi, Dutch counterpart reaffirm in a phone call ‘strong’ bilateral relations

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday received a phone call from Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.

Veldkamp stressed the importance The Netherlands attaches to its friendship with Jordan, expressed the Dutch government's commitment to strengthening relations in various fields and praised Jordan's key role in the region, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Veldkamp distanced the Dutch government from recent remarks made by a Dutch member of parliament about Jordan and Palestine, clarifying that these comments do not reflect the official position of the Dutch government, affirming The Netherlands' respect for Jordan and support for a two-state solution as the only path to peace in the region.

Safadi reiterated Jordan's commitment to strengthening the bilateral friendship and thanked Veldkamp for his call, which underscored the Dutch government's clear rejection of the MP's remarks. 

Safadi also stressed that these comments do not represent Dutch policy, which seeks to bolster relations with Jordan.

Safadi also appreciated The Netherlands' support for a two-state solution and the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state in accordance with international law.

Both ministers reiterated their commitment to work together to strengthen cooperation in various fields and to seek an immediate and lasting ceasefire to end the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli aggression against Gaza.

They also agreed to continue working together to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the war-torn Gaza Strip.

In a radio interview in The Netherlands also on Friday, Veldkamp reiterated the Netherlands' support for a two-state solution, stating that Palestine is a state separate from Israel and that the establishment of Palestine will not be at the expense of Jordan.

He added: "The relationship between Jordan and the Netherlands is very important and I am committed to strengthening it by fostering strong ties with Jordan."

Safadi responded by saying that Jordan does not pay attention to meaningless and worthless statements by a racist extremist.

The Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Dutch ambassador to Amman to convey a “strongly worded” diplomatic protest over statements made by Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders, which were supportive of the Israeli Knesset’s decision denying Palestinians their right to an independent state.

The ministry’s spokesperson Sufian Qudah  said that a message of diplomatic protest was handed over to the Dutch envoy, urging the government of The Netherlands to take a “clear position” and denounce such statements that “contradict the friendly relations between the two countries”. 

Qudah described the statements of the Dutch far-right MP as “of no legal impact, racist, and a flagrant violation of international law”.