Safadi conveys King’s message to Cyprus president

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister  Ayman Safadi on Thursday conveyed a message from His Majesty King Abdullah to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, stressing keenness to develop bilateral and regional cooperation and discussing efforts exerted to achieve security and stability in the region.

During his meeting with Safadi in Nicosia on Thursday, Anastasiades conveyed his greetings to His Majesty King Abdullah, expressing congratulations on the Kingdom’s 76th Independence Day, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Highlighting the importance of relations with Jordan and the continuation of work to strengthen them in various fields, the Cypriot president valued the role of Jordan and the efforts led by His Majesty to confront regional challenges and achieve security and stability.

The meeting focused on prospects for increasing cooperation within the framework of the tripartite cooperation with Greece and the EU as well. 

The meeting’s agenda also included several regional issues, foremost of which was the Palestinian issue.

Similarly, Safadi held extensive talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, reviewing steps taken by the two countries to implement the outcomes of the summit that brought together His Majesty King Abdullah and the Cypriot President on December 17, 2021, within the framework of tripartite cooperation with Greece to develop economic, investment and tourist partnerships. 

In a joint press statement after the talks, Safadi thanked his Cypriot counterpart for the “frank and in-depth dialogue” they had, which is based on the continuous coordination between the two leaderships and the “solid cooperative relations” established between the Kingdom and Cyprus over 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Underlining the consequences of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict with regard to food security and energy sources, Safadi stressed the necessity of regional cooperation, adding that cooperating with Cyprus is key to ameliorate the said consequences. 

Referring to the agreements signed by the two countries, which created legislation paving way for more economic, commercial and tourism cooperation, Safadi highlighted the double taxation agreement as the most important Jordanian-Cypriot agreement since it reflects a common desire to create an environment conducive for increased cooperation.

Highlighting the Palestinian issue, discussions also included efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, the situation in Lebanon, support Iraq and combat terrorism, in addition to the Ukrainian crisis and its consequences.

Safadi extended appreciation of Cyprus' support for  the preservation of the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites and the Cypriot “clear and firm position” in supporting the two-state solution as the only way to achieve just and comprehensive peace. 

On the peace process, Safadi stressed that it can only be achieved through fulfilling the legitimate rights of Palestinians, foremost of which is their right to freedom and an independent, sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital on the lines of June 4, 1967, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, living in security and peace alongside Israel.

Safadi highlighted the absence of prospects for reaching this political solution and the decline in confidence in the feasibility of the peace process, calling for launching serious and effective talks to achieve peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

The Jordanian foreign minister also warned against the dangerous repercussions of the illegal Israeli measures that undermine the chances of achieving peace on the basis of the two-state solution, such as settlement building, land expropriation and violations at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

Safadi added the need to return to respect the historical and legal situation in Jerusalem and the  freedom of Muslim and Christian worshipers to perform their rituals to revive negotiations to achieve just and comprehensive peace to which the Kingdom and all countries are committed. 

The Arab League is a strategic choice and a necessity in order to achieve security and stability in the region, he noted.

Jordan's position is consistent, as international law, the UN Charter, the principle of non-aggression and state sovereignty must be respected, he said. 

In relation to the Cypriot issue, Safadi said that Jordan calls for a political solution that adheres to international resolutions. 

The Cypriot foreign minister commended Jordan's continuous efforts to prevent the situation from deteriorating, emphasising Cyprus’ unwavering support to preserve the status quo of Islamic and Christian holy sites under the Hashemite Custodianship, pointing to the importance of worshipers practising their religious rites.

"There is an urgent need to preserve the fragile stability in the Old City of Jerusalem in order to prevent further outbreaks of violence," Kasoulides added.

He affirmed the commitment and “firm” Cypriot support towards efforts exerted to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with UN and Security Council resolutions.

The Cypriot minister stressed the importance of the steps taken by the two countries to enhance cooperation in fighting fires, so that there is institutional coordination to confront them, which comes in the context of a vision laid out by His Majesty King Abdullah to enhance cooperation in facing regional challenges.

During the second half of 2022, a tripartite meeting will be convened to further consolidate cooperation, he noted. 

In regard to the EU-Jordan Association Council, the Cypriot minister expressed keenness to partake in its meeting to be held on June 2.