Safadi, Irish FM discuss support for UNRWA, region

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday met with Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney to discuss regional and international developments of common interest, efforts to resolve regional crises and ways to bolster bilateral relations, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two ministers affirmed keenness to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially in regard to trade and economy, agreeing to form a working group to develop a programme to enhance cooperation in regard to food security, water, education, tourism, technology, and cultural and research exchange.

They reviewed regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause and efforts aimed at returning to serious and effective negotiations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution which guarantees the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the lines of June 4, 1967. 

Safadi valued Ireland's “unwavering supportive stance” towards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and its continuous support for UNRWA, expressing appreciation for Ireland’s announcement of providing additional donations on Wednesday.

He voiced aspiration for the Irish Foreign Minister's participation in the upcoming conference, organised by the Kingdom in cooperation with Sweden to rally financial and political support for the agency this month.

Focusing on efforts to resolve crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen, Safadi stressed that there is no alternative to a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves Syria's unity and cohesion, highlighting the need to intensify efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis according to the approved resolutions, most notably the Security Council Resolution 2216, the Riyadh Agreement, and national dialogue resolutions. 

Safadi said that Jordan continues to work with its partners to resolve the Yemeni crisis, underlining that the Houthis' positions impede reaching a solution. 

He stressed that the security of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf states is part of the security of the Kingdom, and that Jordan rejects any aggression against Saudi Arabia.  

Voicing pride in the Jordanian-Irish relations, Safadi described Ireland as an important partner of the Kingdom, expressing keenness to continue joint work.

Safadi added that opening the Irish embassy in the Kingdom is an indication of the “strength” of the relations that unite the two countries and the keenness to increase cooperation in various areas.

Safadi stressed the importance of not repeating illegal measures that escalated the situation this year, highlighting the importance of respecting the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its sanctities, respecting the right of Sheikh Jarrah’s people to their homes and refrain from deporting them, as “their deportation constitutes a clear violation of international law and a war crime that we can only reject, and we are doing everything we can to prevent it”.

Safadi added that his talks with his Irish counterpart covered the situation in Syria, where they stressed the need to move towards a political solution that preserves Syria's unity and stability.

The Irish minister described the Kingdom as a strategic partner of Ireland in the region, highlighting that Ireland seeks to improve relations with the Kingdom at the bilateral level in various fields.

He pointed out that the volume of trade exchange has doubled during this period, expecting it to reach more than $300 million in 2021.

He affirmed his country's desire to be part of the efforts to find solutions to regional crises.

Pertaining the Palestinian cause, Conveney stressed his country's support to  the two-state solution, its commitment to work with the Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders within the framework of the EU and the UN, and the strong partnership with the US to resolve the issue based on the two-state solution.

He noted that Ireland on Wednesday announced increasing its financial support for UNRWA with nine million euros this year and it will further increase the aid before the year end.