FM discusses joint Arab action with Palestinian chief negotiator

AMMAN — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Saturday discussed with Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s (PLO) executive committee ways of coordinating joint Arab action to break the stalemate in peace efforts and face Israeli measures that undermine the two-state solution.

Safadi and Erekat stressed the importance of the international community's actions to end the deadlock and move towards finding an actual prospect that would result in serious and effective negotiations, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Both officials added that negotiations should focus on resolving the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement added that an independent state is in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, and is the only way to achieve a comprehensive peace.

Both sides also stressed the need for the international community to take an effective stance on the settlement policies, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and undermine the chances of achieving peace. 

Furthermore, Safadi and Erekat underlined that Jerusalem is a red line, warning of the consequences of Israel's attempts to change Jerusalem's Arab and Islamic identity and stressing that such acts constitute a provocation to the feelings of Muslims and Christians.

Both sides outlined the need to support UNRWA, to enable the fulfilment of its responsibilities towards Palestinian refugees in accordance with its UN mandate, according to the statement.

The Palestinian leadership commended the efforts exerted by the Kingdom to support Palestinian legitimacy and the efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah, custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, to support the Palestinian people, their rights to freedom and a state on their national soil, as well as in regards to protecting the holy sites, Erekat said.

Safadi and Erekat stressed the ongoing communication and coordination in implementation of King Abdullah and President Mahmoud Abbas’ directives, the statement said.

Safadi congratulated Erekat, on the State of Palestine assuming of the chairmanship of the Group of 77 at the UN, according to the statement.