Amman, February 9 (Petra)- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, affirmed the distinguished relations between Jordan and Morocco that progress towards broader cooperation and coordination under the guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

During talks held on Saturday in Amman, the two ministers asserted the work is ongoing to enhance bilateral cooperation in the economic, commercial, tourism and educational fields, with a view to translating the outcomes of the summit, which brought together their Majesties, into a reality that touches the aspect of citizens’ lives.

Discussions at the meeting also tackled regional development, especially those related to the Palestinian issue in light of the announcement of the US peace plan.

In a joint press statement, the two officials agreed the meeting comes at a sensitive time during the ongoing process of coordination between the two kingdoms to increase bilateral cooperation, with a vision on the need to resolve regional crises and achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

Safadi said the Moroccan officials visit to Jordan is part of this process, pointing to the forward movement of finding frameworks that encourage the private sector’s cooperation in both countries, as a Moroccan economic delegation visited Jordan and there will be a visit by a Jordanian delegation to Morocco soon.

He confirmed that everyone agrees the current stage is critical, and Jordan and Morocco are always in constant coordination to contribute with the rest of the Arab countries in trying to find a horizon towards a lasting, comprehensive and just peace, which is on the basis of the two-state solution that ensures the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state on the borders of 4 June, 1967, in accordance with the Arab Pace Initiative and the International Legitimacy Resolutions.

“We talked about other regional challenges. We all want stability, we want security, we want peace, we want our people to achieve the best future that provides them with opportunities and allows them live in dignity,” Safadi added.

For his part, Bourita emphasized his country’s identical position with Jordan’s, saying “in these regional circumstances, it was necessary for us to meet, exchange our assessment, and determine what are the next steps that we can take together”, adding that Morocco will always coordinate with Jordan in regard the Palestinian issue, given the responsibility and the strong relations between the monarchs of the two countries.

“His Majesty King Mohammed VI has always affirmed the importance of the historical Hashemite guardianship on Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem,” he added.

Amman, February 9 (Petra)- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Sunday met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, and Russian President’s Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev and an accompanying delegation.

Safadi and the Russian officials discussed steps taken by the two countries to develop bilateral cooperation and build on the outcome of a summit held by His Majesty King Abdullah II and President Vladimir Putin last year.

The talks dealt with developments in the Middle East, especially the efforts made to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis. In this context, Safadi stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to end the crisis through a political solution that preserves Syria’s unity and cohesion, restores its security and stability, and opens the door for national reconciliation.

The minister emphasized that any solution to the Syrian crisis must provide for the voluntary return of refugees so that Syria can regain its main role in the region.

The minister and the Russian officials stressed the need for continued cooperation in combating terrorism, which constitutes a common enemy that the international community must strive to defeat militarily and ideologically.

Safadi and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin also discussed the latest developments in southern Syria. In this regard, Safadi emphasized the need to work to further establish stability in southern Syria and create conditions to encourage the voluntary return of refugees, stressing the importance of the Russian role in this context.

The Russian delegation briefed the minister on the latest developments in the Syrian north, particularly in Idlib governorate.

The minister stressed the necessity of working to reduce escalation and protect civilians.

Safadi and Russian officials also underscored the effective Jordanian-Russian coordination regarding the crisis in Syria, which contributed to avoiding further destruction in the southern part of the country and working to institutionalize mechanisms for coordinating the voluntary return of refugees.

The meeting also addressed regional developments, especially with regard to the Palestinian issue.

In this context, the minister appreciated Russia’s firm stance in supporting the two-state solution and relevant international legitimacy resolutions. He warned that Israel’s continued unilateral measures violate international law undermine the two-state solution that would guarantee the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on pre-June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In turn, Vershinin highlighted Jordan’s effort, spearheaded by His Majesty King Abdullah II, to achieve regional security and stability, noting the Kingdom’s humanitarian role towards the Syrian refugees.

Amman, February 8 (Petra)- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al-Safadi on Saturday discussed with Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, developments related to the Palestinian issue following the U.S. “peace plan” which was rejected by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Safadi emphasized Jordan’s unwavering support to the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their legitimate rights, foremost of which is their right to freedom and a state with East Jerusalem as its capital on pre-June 4, 1967 lines on the basis of a two-state solution.

The minister said that Jordan will continue to consult and work with Palestinians towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace that meets the rights of the Palestinian people and ends the conflict so that the region can enjoy security and stability.

Erekat underlined the Kingdom’s firm stances led by His Majesty King Abdullah II in support of the Palestinian right, stressing the importance of the historical Hashemite custodianship over Muslim and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem.

Jeddah, February 3 (Petra)- Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs, Ayman Safadi, said Jordan adheres to international legitimacy and demands a just peace based on a two-state solution.

Safadi affirmed the solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only way to resolve the conflict.

Safadi made the comment during an open-ended executive committee meeting held by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah to discuss its position on the American peace plan.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s principles regarding the Palestinian cause and the conditions for achieving peace, calling on Arab countries’ peoples to “believe in and protect peace so that it will be lasting.”

The minister said the Kingdom stands with Palestinians in their endeavor to restore their legitimate rights, pointing to the uninterrupted efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II in this regard.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s rejection and condemnation of any Israeli measures aimed at imposing new facts, especially settlements construction and expansion and annexation of occupied Palestinian lands, and the tampering of the historical and legal status quo in Arab Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and its Arab Islamic and Christian identity.

Jerusalem is a red line to the custodian of its Islamic and Christian sanctities King Abdullah, Safadi stated, adding that preserving the Arab, Islamic and Christian identity of the holy sites is a responsibility that His Majesty devotes all the Kingdom’s capabilities to.

He pointed out that the Hashemite custodianship protects the rights of Muslims and Christians in holy places.

Safadi stressed that the 144-dunum al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims, a fact underscored by international legitimacy and history.

He underlined the rejection of a “spatial or temporal division of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and any attempt to change the Arab-Islamic identity of the mosque.”

Safadi also said the issue of refugees should be resolved on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative and in a way that guarantees the right to return and compensation.

He stressed the need to continue providing financial and political support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) until the refugee issue is resolved within a comprehensive peace framework that ends the occupation.

Amman, February 2 (Petra)- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in Amman, Sunday, held a meeting for a discussion on cooperation and regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Borrell, who is also the European Commission Vice President, chose Jordan as the first leg of his journey in the region to highlight the Jordanian-European strong ties, and in commendation of His Majesty King Abdullah II’s role in upholding regional peace and security.

In a joint press conference, Safadi welcomed Borrell to the Kingdom, saying: “We had the chance to talk about enhancing the Jordanian-European partnership, especially following His Majesty King Abdullah II’s visit to Brussels.”

“We emphasized that the Kingdom and the Union are moving forward in enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, investment and defense, in addition to many others,” he added.

Safadi also noted the active launch to renew the Jordanian-European partnership agreement that has provided a practical framework to increase bilateral cooperation.

“Our positions are always close, we come from the same grounds that aim at settling conflicts in the region and combatting terrorism,” the foreign minister added.

Safadi said that the Palestinian cause has always been at the forefront of regional talks, praising the EU for its position toward the two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

He said that he had briefed the EU official about the latest developments with regard to “the firm position of that Jordan has taken on how to move forward toward full and just peace that we all want, and also the meeting of the Arab League yesterday.”

In turn, Borrell said, “This is my first visit to the Middle East as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union. I wanted to be here in Jordan to demonstrate our strong partnership at the bilateral and multilateral levels, and as proof of the Union’s appreciation of Jordan’s important role in achieving stability in a region experiencing many challenges.”

He also stressed the Union’s continued support to Jordan to withstand regional difficulties and challenges and said, “Jordan provides continuous support to refugees, as it hosts more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees, and the EU will continue its commitment to supporting Jordan’s generous efforts.”

Regarding the developments of the Palestinian issue, Borrell stressed that without an agreement between all parties, there is no chance of any peace plan succeeding.

The parties must return to the negotiating table to find a sustainable way forward based on internationally agreed principles and standards, including the 1967 borders, and the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with the Israel in a state of mutual recognition, he added.