FM holds series of meetings on margins of UfM meet

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday held talks with a number of his counterparts participating in the 7th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), hosted by Spain and chaired by Jordan and the EU, as well as the fourth EU-Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting.

The meetings focused on bilateral relations, regional issues, joint efforts to resolve crises, and economic cooperation, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

In a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Paris, Safadi discussed increasing cooperation between the two kingdoms.

The ministers also discussed the Palestinian cause, the Syrian crisis, and support for refugees, in addition to cooperation within the framework of the Aqaba process.

Meeting with EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Safadi focused on Jordan-EU partnership and regional developments, most notably in regard to the Palestinian cause.

Similarly, Safadi highlighted bilateral relations, regional issues, and cooperation between the Kingdom and the EU during his meeting with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Milokov.

Safadi and Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Cravinho underlined the need to strengthen cooperation between Jordan and Portugal and agreed to hold expanded talks based on the outcomes of a series of political consultations in the two foreign ministries, which begins on Friday.

In a separate meeting, Safadi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon, in which he focused on bolstering cooperation priorities especially in the economic, educational and tourism fields, and activating agreements signed between the two countries.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Safadi followed up on the outcomes of their talks in Amman last September. 

The two ministers affirmed keenness to continue coordination and consultation on regional issues, and cementing joint Arab action to face common challenges and serve Arab issues and interests.

Safadi and his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides reviewed steps taken by the two countries to enhance bilateral cooperation, regional cooperation, as part of the tripartite cooperation with Greece.

On the sidelines of the forum, Safadi and his Hungarian counterpart Peter Siarto voiced mutual aspiration to enhance cooperation, especially in the economic, trade and educational fields.