FM, German, Swedish counterparts talk ties, region

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday discussed means to develop Jordanian-German ties and the “distinguished and developing” partnership between the two countries.

Receiving Maas on the sidelines of the Amman-hosted third ministerial meeting of the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the two ministers reviewed regional developments, mainly those pertaining to the Palestinian cause, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

In this regard, Safadi and Maas went through endeavours aiming at launching “serious and effective negotiations” to reach an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to the two-state solution, the Arab peace initiative and accredited references.

They also discussed the preparations to hold the Quartet ministerial meeting under the Munich group that comprises the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, France and the EU to push efforts aimed at launching “serious” negotiations towards ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution.

Safadi praised Germany’s role that supports the two-state solution and Berlin’s continuous efforts to find political solutions to Middle East crises in a bid to realise security, stability, growth and prosperity for the region’s peoples.

The deputy prime minister also voiced appreciation of Germany’s constant assistance to help the Kingdom overcome economic challenges, which reflects the “deep-rooted” strategic ties between the two countries.

Also on the sidelines of the event, Safadi met with Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde over means to enhance bilateral ties in all fields, according to a separate ministry statement.

The two ministers reviewed efforts to hold an international conference to garner financial support necessary to overcome the budget deficit of UNRWA, stressing the need to continue consultations with international partner to provide the political and financial support to the UN agency under long-term funding mechanisms.

Safadi praised the central role of Sweden in supporting UNRWA and thanked Linde for her effective and fundamental partnership in this regard, according to the statement.