Safadi, Blinken discuss Amman Consultative Meeting outcomes

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi  on Thursday spoke over the phone with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken over the outcomes of the Amman Consultative Meeting on Syria.

Safadi acquainted Blinken with the path launched by the meeting that involves a leading Arab role to progressively resolve the crisis in Syria, and address all its humanitarian, security and political consequences, in accordance with the step-by-step methodology and in line with UN Resolution 2254, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi stressed the importance of this path in “breaking the stalemate” in the efforts to achieve a comprehensive solution to the crisis in Syria. 

The foreign minister stressed that progress towards a political solution should preserve Syria’s unity, cohesion and sovereignty, restore its security and stability, free it from terrorism, lead to the exit of foreign forces, meet the aspirations of the Syrian people and create a conducive environment for the safe and voluntary return of refugees. 

The minister also noted that the joint statement issued following the meeting mainly focused on humanitarian issues that contribute to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people, such as the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all its beneficiaries, including through cross-border assistance in accordance with internationally approved mechanisms, and a pilot UN operation organising the return of some 1,000 Syrian refugees.

He also noted that the Amman statement has identified mechanisms to face drug smuggling and set a roadmap to progressively deal with security and political issues.

Safadi also noted that the Kingdom prioritises combating drug smuggling from Syria into Jordan, reiterating the significance of implementing the Amman agreements on launching an effective mechanism to stop this increasing threat.

Safadi also said that the Amman meeting highlighted the significance of taking effective, practical steps that can benefit the Syrian people, alleviate their suffering and address all the repercussions of the crisis until a comprehensive solution is reached.

Safadi and Blinken also discussed future prospects for solving the crisis according to the accredited references.

In this regard, Safadi stressed the centrality of the US role in efforts to solve the crisis and the need to continue coordination with Washington over efforts to end the crisis stop the suffering of the Syrian people and the threats it caused to regional and international security. 

Safadi and Blinken agreed to continue coordination and consultation as part of the “historical and strategic” partnership and friendship that connect Amman and Washington.