FM urges NAM members to ‘go the extra mile’ for Palestinians, Syrians

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Saturday called on the 120 member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to “go the extra mile” to end the Israeli occupation, also urging the adoption of new approaches that put Syrians' public interest ahead of conflicting agendas. 

Addressing the 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Safadi, deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, said that collective action stemming from respect for international law ensures international security and stability, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Safadi also exhorted participating delegates to adopt a “comprehensive approach” to combat terrorism, which does not belong to any civilisation or religion, while highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in this arena.

Jordan is a founding member of the NAM, the principles of which were inspired by the 1955 Bandung Conference, as the Kingdom was among the 29 participating countries that laid down the general principles of the movement, he noted.

 Among these principles is the rejection of colonialism, he said, pointing out that the Israeli colonial practices are still ongoing.

Safadi stressed the international community’s need to step up efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, reaffirming that this is the sole path to peace.

Touching on the displacement of Syrians, Safadi urged the intensification of efforts towards a resolution to the Syrian crisis, one that is accepted by Syria’s people, maintains the country’s unity, restores its security and sets the stage for the voluntary return of refugees.

On the sidelines of the Baku-hosted forum, Safadi met his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov over bolstering bilateral ties and regional development, the statement added.

A trilateral ministerial meeting on Friday also took place between Safadi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Hakim.

The three ministers discussed means of implementing the outcomes of the trilateral summit between His Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Iraqi President Barham Saleh in New York last month.

In preparation for the upcoming Baghdad-hosted high-level trilateral summit, the three ministers will meet in Amman early next month, the Jordan news Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, talks went over the latest regional developments, touching on the Palestinian cause, as well as the crises in Syria, Yemen and Libya, with Shukri briefing his counterparts on the latest developments in the Sadd Al-Nahda (Renaissance Dam) negotiations. 

Safadi and Hakim expressed their countries’ support to Egypt in its efforts to preserve its water rights, in accordance with resolutions of international legitimacy.