FM holds talks with leaders, members of US Senate, House of Representatives

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday met with a number of leaders and members of the US Senate and House of Representatives to discuss bolstering the Jordanian-US partnership as well as the new joint memorandum of understanding of 2022.

The current memorandum has framed the annual US support to Jordan for the past four years and expires by the end of September 2022, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi expressed appreciation for the supportive stances of the US Congress towards Jordan and the US assistance provided to Jordan to aid it in its development journey, enable it to confront economic challenges, the consequences of regional crises, especially in hosting refugees and the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

During the talks, members of the Senate and House of Representatives affirmed their keenness to develop the Jordanian-US relations, voicing their appreciation for the efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah to enhance regional security and stability. 

At the Capitol, Safadi met with the Chairperson of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Gregory Meeks, Republican Lead Member of the House Appropriations Committee Kay Granger and Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism Todd Young.

Safadi also had a virtual meeting with Representatives Barbara Lee, Hal Rogers and Ted Deutch, in addition to placing phone calls with Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Rosa DeLauro, discussing regional and international issues, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause.

Safadi highlighted the importance of achieving just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis, supporting Iraq, fighting terrorism and supporting developments in the region.

Safadi will also meet with Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Republican Bloc in the Committee James Risch; Chairman of the Senate Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chris Murphy as well as hold a phone call with the Republican Caucus Chair in the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee in the US House of Representatives Joe Wilson.

On Thursday, Safadi will meet at the US State Department with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, holding extensive talks on bilateral relations and regional issues.

Also on Thursday, Safadi is scheduled to meet with US administration officials, researchers, pundits, media professionals, journalists and representatives of American research centres. 

He will also participate as a keynote speaker in a dialogue organised by the Brookings Institution on Jordanian-American relations and the latest developments in the Middle East.