Judeh, Momani discuss London conference, region with UK minister

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Tuesday discussed with British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood the outcome of the “Supporting Syria and the Region Conference” that was held in London. 

The two officials discussed developments in Syria and the agreement to cease aggressive operations and continue the Geneva talks and the decision to secure aid to Syrians, which was taken in Munich last week, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Judeh stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian conflict that guarantees the safety, security and unity of the state with the participation of all components of the Syrian people as stipulated in the Geneva I resolutions.

He also reviewed the burden Jordan shoulders as a result of hosting a large number of Syrian refugees, estimated in a December census at around 1.3 million, only half of whom are registered refugees.

Judeh and Ellwood discussed also the developments in Palestine where Judeh stressed the need to implement the two-state solution, under which an independent Palestinian state is established within the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and based on relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The meeting also covered the situation in Libya, Iraq and Yemen, where the two officials stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to combat terrorism. 

For his part, Ellwood voiced the UK's appreciation of the Kingdom's pivotal role, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, in achieving peace and stability in the region.

Also on Tuesday, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani met with Ellwood. He noted that Jordan achieved significant results in the London donor conference and commended the donor countries’ support pledged for Syrian refugees and host communities. 

During the meeting, attended by British Ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden, Momani, who is also the government’s spokesperson, stressed the depth of bilateral relations, underscoring the continuous British aid to Jordan.