Partnership, Palestine top Jordan-EU talks

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday received European Union High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell and discussed enhancing Jordan-EU partnership as well as the latest regional developments, topped by the Palestinian cause.

Borrell, who is visiting the region for the first time since he assumed his position as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, said that he chose the Kingdom as the first destination in the region to showcase "strong" Jordanian-EU partnership and in appreciation of His Majesty King Abdullah's role in maintaining regional security and stability. 

In joint press remarks following their meeting, Safadi said that the Kingdom and the EU are moving ahead with advancing cooperation in the fields of economy, investment and defence, among others, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi also highlighted the two sides’ “active efforts” towards renewing the EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities, which have provided a practical framework for increasing cooperation.

Safadi expressed appreciation for the EU's supportive stance and its efforts to support the Kingdom's economic development and alleviate the repercussions from the Syrian refugee influx.    

"Our stances are common. We are proceeding from the same foundation that aims at resolving regional conflicts and combatting terrorism," he said.

The Palestinian cause has always topped regional discussions, Safadi said, expressing appreciation for the EU's commitment to international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution.

"Our position is unwavering. We want a comprehensive, just peace that fulfils Palestinians’ rights to freedom and an independent state within the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution, which is the sole way to peace," Safadi said.

The Arab League’s extraordinary session held on Saturday stressed that the two-state solution is a strategic choice for all, he said, highlighting the importance of creating new prospects for peace and stressing that if peace is to be comprehensive, it must be accepted by all. 

The foreign minister said that talks also went over means of resolving the Syrian crisis and conditions in Iraq.

For his part, Borrell said in a statement after his meeting with Safadi that the EU will continue to support Jordan in withstanding the difficulties it is facing on all levels — “not least because of the regional situation and the toll on the Jordanian economy”.

The EU has allocated 2.8 billion euros in bilateral assistance to Jordan, he said, adding that the bloc wants to continue supporting Jordan in its efforts to provide opportunities to its youth and to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Commenting on the Palestinian cause, he stressed  that, without agreement among all parties, no peace plan has the chance to succeed. 

“To find a sustainable way forward, both parties need to come back to the table,” Borrell said.

The EU representative said that the US plan “challenges many of the internationally agreed parameters: The 1967 border, as agreed by both parties, with a state of Israel and an independent, viable state of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition”.

“Jordan plays a very special role in the efforts to resolve the conflict, in particular as regards Jerusalem and as the Custodian of the Holy Sites. We share the commitment to a two-state solution and respect for international law,” Borrell said.

He also noted that the discussions touched on regional developments, especially tensions in the Gulf and counterterrorism measures.