FM, US counterpart talk ties, means to maintain calm during Ramadan

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi and his US counterpart Antony Blinken on Friday stressed commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between the countries and boosting cooperation in various fields.

In a phone call, the two ministers discussed the new memorandum of understanding for the strategic partnership between the countries, which frames US aid for the Kingdom. The new memorandum replaces the current memorandum, which will expire by the end of September 2022, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

According to the current memorandum of understanding, the US has provided Jordan with annual support over the past four years, which has amounted to some $1.65 billion, annually.

Safadi praised the US support to the Kingdom and stressed the strong ties between the countries in the economic and defence fields, among others, referring to the Jordanian-US coordination over several challenges in the Middle East and efforts to achieve peace, security and stability in the region.

Blinken praised Jordan's effective role, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, to realise peace and stability, voicing his country's interest in strengthening the historical partnership between Washington and Amman.

Safadi briefed Blinken on the economic reforms the Kingdom is implementing to improve economic performance, ensure the effectiveness and productivity of the national economy, and create the necessary environment to activate the private sector’s role.

They also went over several regional and international issues, the top of which is realising a just peace and maintaining comprehensive calm, especially during Ramadan.

Safadi also acquainted Blinken with the efforts led by His Majesty and the contacts he is making to activate the peace process and reach a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, and support the Palestinian economy.

Safadi stressed the importance of intensifying efforts aimed to respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites and guarantee the rights of Muslims to worship at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif in Ramadan.

He stressed the need to halt all illegal Israeli measures and stop all provocative actions that undermine the efforts to achieve peace and calm.

The Ukrainian crisis was also discussed during the phone call, with Safadi voicing Jordan's position that calls for respecting international law and the UN Charter and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.