FM reaffirms Jordan’s support for NPT at New York meeting

AMMAN — Jordan is working hand-in-hand with the international community to realise a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), a step towards enhancing global peace and security, as well as putting the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) into practice, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

Addressing the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament and the NPT meeting held on Tuesday in New York, which was held on the sidelines of the 10th NPT Review Conference, Safadi noted that Jordan's membership in the Stockholm Initiative, the sole Middle Eastern member in the group, shows the Kingdom's support for the treaty and ensures that all states ratify it, according to a ministry statement.

During the Stockholm Initiative meeting, organised by Sweden and Germany, Safadi stressed the need to approach the issue of nuclear weapons in the Middle East from a broader perspective to reach a zone free from WMDs.

He also highlighted the need to resolve regional crises to spare the region from nuclear arms races.

Also on the sidelines of the conference, Safadi met President of the Swiss Confederation/Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis over enhancing bilateral relations, with talks also covering the latest regional developments.

Safadi, also on the sidelines of the conference, met Phil Twyford, New Zealand's Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control. 

Both sides stressed the importance of the two countries' joint action against terrorism and extremism, as part of the "Christchurch Call" and Aqaba Process initiatives.

He also attended a high-level meeting on the development of women's role in promoting international peace and security, hosted by Germany and Sweden in collaboration with UN Women.

During the event, Safadi highlighted the Kingdom's efforts to empower women and increase their political participation.