FM, Armenian PM discuss ties, regional developments in Yerevan

AMMAN — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Monday held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan that focused on means of enhancing bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues of mutual interest. 

Safadi conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah’s regards to the Armenian leadership, and His Majesty’s keenness to develop bilateral cooperation in a way that reflects positively on both countries, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

For his part, the Armenian prime minister highlighted his eagerness to increase bilateral cooperation in all fields and expressed appreciation for King Abdullah’s efforts and the Kingdom’s role in enhancing security and stability and fighting terrorism. 

During their meeting, Safadi and Mnatsakanyan said that the two countries will work on increasing economic and trade cooperation and agreed to form a task force to establish a roadmap outlining the necessary steps to reach that goal, the statement said. 

The two ministers also highlighted the prospects for cooperation in the religious tourism, agriculture and pharmaceutical fields, in addition to the IT sector.

They also agreed to explore means of improving concerned entities’ access to these sectors through the coordination of the two foreign ministries.

In a joint statement following the talks that took place in the Armenian capital Yerevan, Safadi and Mnatsakanyan  underlined the deep-rooted, historical ties  between the two nations, and the shared desire to build upon them. 

The two ministers also reviewed regional and international developments of mutual interest and the efforts made to solve regional crises. 

Safadi stressed that Jordan will remain a voice for peace and moderation in the region.

He pointed to His Majesty’s efforts as custodian over the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in enhancing interfaith dialogue. 

The minister stressed that the Palestinian issue remains the central issue, and that there is no way to resolve the conflict except through the two-state solution, which guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people to their own state along the June 4, 1967 lines, according to international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. 

Safadi warned of unilateral Israeli measures, which undermine the two-state solution and "all hopes" of realising peace. 

He condemned Israel’s decision to build new settlements in Hebron as a violation of international law and undermining of peace efforts.

As a result of regional crises, Jordan is hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees, continuing to offer them humanitarian support until their safe return, he said, stressing the need to reach a solution to the Syrian crisis which restores the nation’s peace, security and stability. 

The Armenian foreign minister lauded the Kingdom’s humanitarian role in hosting refugees, adding that Jordan is a “model for its moderate policies”, the statement said.