‘Mideast peace remains central issue for Jordan’

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah met on Tuesday with Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders over ways to boost cooperation between the two countries. 

The King and Koenders, who is currently visiting the Kingdom as part of a regional tour, also discussed efforts exerted to address the threat of terrorism and terrorist groups, which, they agreed, requires collaborative work and constant coordination among all stakeholders, a Royal Court statement said.

Reviewing efforts to achieve Middle East peace, the King stressed the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the need to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with the two-state solution. 

Regarding the developments in Syria and their repercussions on its neighbouring countries, the King reiterated that Jordan, with its limited resources, shoulders a huge burden as a result of hosting Syrian refugees. 

He renewed a call on the international community to help the Kingdom carry on with its humanitarian mission targeting the displaced Syrians. 

Koenders commended the Kingdom’s efforts to overcome the challenges facing the region, and praised the King’s endeavours to boost security and stability in the neighbourhood. 

The visiting official stressed his country’s commitment to boosting its relations with the Kingdom and maintaining a high level of coordination and cooperation over issues of mutual concern. 

Also on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Koenders discussed the latest developments in the region and challenges facing the two countries, as well as regional and global challenges, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two sides discussed developments regarding the Palestinian issue, especially consultations under way at the Security Council over a pan-Arab demand to issue a resolution that sets a date to end the Israeli occupation, filed by Jordan.

Judeh stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to ensure the resumption of negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

In this regard, he pointed out that Jordan considers the establishment of a Palestinian state as a top priority and one of the country’s national higher interests. 

On the developments in Syria, Judeh reasserted Jordan’s position calling for a political solution to the Syrian crisis that guarantees the security, sovereignty and unity of Syria and its people, ends the humanitarian crisis, and ensures a smooth return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. 

The official expressed appreciation of the Netherlands’ support for Jordan as it shelters Syrian refugees.  

For his part, Koenders pointed out that his country understands and appreciates the task Jordan handles as a refugee host country.