Safadi, Hungarian counterpart discuss cooperation, refugees, regional developments

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi received on Thursday  the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó over talks on bilateral relations, refugees and regional developments. 

Safadi and Szijjártó discussed ways to enhance relations and develop bilateral cooperation within the framework of the strategic partnership with the European Union.

The two top diplomats also discussed the outcomes of the agreements signed between the two countries in Amman in May last year in the fields of education, environment, youth and diplomatic cooperation.

In joint press statements following the talks, Safadi noted that the Hungarian   minister‘s visit aimed to explore mechanisms for enhancing “growing bilateral ties.”

He hailed the improving cooperation in education between the two countries, pointing out that Hungary offers 400 scholarships annually to Jordanian students, a gesture he praised as both educationally enriching and culturally significant.

He pointed out that the extended talks stressed the need to stop the aggression on Gaza, reach an immediate ceasefire, implement the prisoner exchange agreement in all its stages, and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the war-torn Strip.

"This aid has been halted since last March, leading to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. We must do everything necessary to remove all obstacles [hindering] the entry of aid and then work towards achieving a just and lasting peace, which we in the Kingdom seek as a strategic option with all Arab countries, because achieving a just and lasting peace is the only true guarantee for the security of all in this region,” Safadi said.

Safadi noted that the two ministers discussed the situation in Syria and Lebanon, stressing the need to support the stability of the two countries. "Syria is now going through a new phase following the large-scale suffering of the brotherly Syrian people. Therefore, our position and policy is to support our brothers in Syria in rebuilding their homeland on foundations that guarantee security, stability, sovereignty and preserve the rights of all Syrians."

“We also affirmed our support for Lebanon at this stage."

On refugee issue, Safadi said, "We discussed the refugee issue, and the Hungarian minister knows that Jordan is the largest refugee-hosting country relative to its population, and that the burden of asylum requires cooperation from everyone in order to provide the decent life that refugees deserve until conditions are met that allow for their voluntary return to their country."

For his part, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó praised the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah in preserving and protecting holy sites in Jerusalem within the framework of the Hashemite Custodianship, commending his efforts and his significant role in achieving peace and stability in the region.

He stressed that Hungary supports the realisation and implementation of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Jordan “as soon as possible.’

Szijjarto stressed the importance of Jordan's role in reducing illegal immigration to Europe, saying, "We are certain that without Jordan's highly responsible position, millions of illegal immigrants would have spread to Europe, and there would have been waves of immigration that Europe could not deal with."