AMMAN — Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Monday discussed with US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns bilateral ties and the latest regional developments, especially the peace process and the situation in Syria.
The two sides stressed the need to intensify efforts to achieve progress in the US-brokered peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis according to the set time frame, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
During the meeting, Judeh reiterated that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital is a matter that lies at the heart of Jordan’s higher interests.
Judeh also voiced Jordan’s appreciation for the efforts exerted by US Secretary of State John Kerry in the ongoing peace negotiations.
The two sides also discussed the ongoing negotiations between the Syrian regime and the opposition in Geneva, stressing the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis that has to be based on the 2012 Geneva declaration.
Judeh also renewed Jordan’s unaltered stance on the Syrian crisis, which advocates a comprehensive political solution that can safeguard Syria’s territorial unity and end the suffering of its people.
On the consequences of the Syrian crisis on Jordan, Judeh called on the international community to increase its assistance to help the Kingdom continue its humanitarian efforts to the more than 600,000 Syrian refugees.
For his part, Burns voiced his country’s appreciation to Jordan’s pivotal role in efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region and providing humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees.
According to a statement by the US embassy in Amman, Burns is scheduled to meet with His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh “to discuss a broad range of issues that reflect the breadth and depth of our close bilateral relationship, and to reiterate our commitment to supporting Jordan’s stability and security. The visit will also provide an opportunity to consult on key regional issues, such as the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the crisis in Syria”.
