Palestinian cause key to regional security stability — FM

AMMAN — Jordan's hosting of the Mediterranean Conference of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for the third time reflects the Kingdom’s “deep-rooted” relations with the organisation, as well as a joint keenness to advance this partnership, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Monday.

He added that hosting the meeting also highlights joint action to address challenges and achieve security and stability.

In joint press remarks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, following the opening of the conference, Safadi said that this partnership shows that both countries see eye-to-eye on the concept of comprehensive security, which includes addressing regional crises and tensions. 

The concept also covers cooperation in addressing challenges related to the environment, job creation, food and energy security, as well as the empowerment of youth and women, he said. 

The security statuses of the Southern Mediterranean region and Europe are interdependent, and require joint action to be realised in a comprehensive sense, Safadi noted.

Jordan is a key partner to OSCE, he added, noting that the Kingdom's participation in this event is part of its firm stances calling for the resolution of regional crises. Foremost of which, he added, is the Palestinian cause, which is the key to regional security and stability.

"We need a better future, a future of opportunities and cooperation, a future free of need, free of oppression and free of occupation," Safadi said, stressing that the conference has featured a “real, comprehensive” dialogue.

All issues and challenges have been put on the table, he said, expressing hope that the conference will produce decisions that would take practical approaches to these challenges. 

In response to a question about Israeli participation in the conference, and whether the discussions have covered the Palestinian cause, Safadi said that the OSCE has 57 member states, whose representatives participated in the conference being held in Jordan for the third time, stressing that the Palestinian cause was present during the conference, he said.

"Wherever Jordan is, the Palestinian-Arab position is", he noted, reiterating the firm Jordanian position affirming that no peace, security or stability is possible without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital on the basis of the two-state solution.

"There is an occupation some kilometres away from where we sit today, so our rejection of the occupation is out of a principled position, our call for dialogue to find a solution to all conflicts also expresses a principled position,” he said. 

Jordan's firm position confirms that "regional security begins with resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and requires an end to the occupation, bringing regional security and peace. Then, all can work together to address the other challenges related to the environment, food and energy security, he said.

Responding to a question, Safadi stressed the need to reach a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis as soon as possible, highlighting the fact that the repercussions of this crisis are not restricted to Europe, Ukraine and Russia, but affect the whole world in terms of energy and food prices, among other factors.

Safadi also stressed the Kingdom's "crystal clear positions" calling for adherence to international law, the UN Charter and the principles of non-aggression and territorial sovereignty.

He also said that the conference agenda includes multiple issues, adding "what the organisation puts forward is in line with the Kingdom's vision, which calls for a holistic approach in terms of security and stability”.

This holistic approach calls for speaking frankly and clearly about the catastrophic effects of the occupation’s continuation, and the failure to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, he noted.

Commending the Kingdom's work to host the conference, Osmani expressed his country's keenness to advance cooperation with Jordan and the OSCE.

Osmani pointed out that the conference is an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the Mediterranean countries, calling for a focus on security amongst neighbouring countries and stressing the importance of Jordan's effective and key role with the organisation.

Jordan is a country that we can rely on to achieve the current security agenda, he added, expressing confidence that the conference will promote new opportunities for cooperation.