FM warns against continued absence of effective negotiations to reach Mideast peace

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday met with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland. 

During the meeting, Safadi warned against the continued absence of serious and effective negotiations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with international law and international resolutions, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi stressed that there is no alternative to the two-state solution that guarantees an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on the lines of June 4, 1967.

The two-state solution is a way to achieve comprehensive peace, which is a strategic option and a necessity for all countries in the region and their people, he highlighted. 

Safadi underlined that Jordan will continue to exert efforts to reach the two-state solution and achieve a just peace.

Safadi also stressed that the continued settlement policy and seizing of Palestinian lands undermine the two-state solution and the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

He stressed the need to respect the rights of Sheikh Jarrah's people to their homes, demanding the UN and the international community to prevent the forced eviction of Jerusalemites in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood and in other neighbourhoods of the occupied city, as it constitutes a war crime according to international law.

Jordan handed over all documents in its possession to the Palestinian Authority (PA), and ratified all documents submitted by the residents to prove their right to their homes, he said.

The foreign minister added the Kingdom will continue to make every possible effort to protect the residents of the neighbourhood, in coordination with the PA.

Safadi also stressed that maintaining calm requires respect for the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites.

He outlined the preparations for the international conference organised by the Kingdom and Sweden in Brussels in November to rally financial and political support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Briefing Wennesland on the positive results of the agreement reached with Israel, Safadi noted that the agreement will allow Jordanian exports to the West Bank to stand at an annual value of more than $700 million instead $160 million.

Safadi and Wennesland reviewed the efforts made to re-launch the peace process, support the PA, maintain calm in the occupied Palestinian territories and rebuild the Gaza Strip.

The UN envoy valued the Jordanian role led by His Majesty King Abdullah to achieve a just peace.