Safadi, Japan’s Hayashi hold expanded talks on ties, region

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday held expanded talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi over means to further develop cooperation in various fields.

The talks, held via videoconference, also focused on regional and international issues of mutual interest, where both ministers stressed the “distinguished” partnership between Amman and Tokyo and joint keenness to further enhance them in all fields, mainly at the economic, investment and cultural levels. 

The two ministers also agreed to expand coordination of efforts aimed to reach solutions to regional crises, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

They also discussed the economic cooperation programme and investment opportunities in the fields of water, energy and infrastructure, as well as the Japanese support for the development process in the Kingdom, and Tokyo’s announcement to offer $100 million to help Jordan face the repercussions of the pandemic as part of a previously agreed-upon soft loan worth $300 million. 

Safadi praised Japan’s positions that support the Kingdom in facing economic challenges and the ramifications of the pandemic, as well as helping the sustainable development process in Jordan and helping the Kingdom respond to the impact of the arrival of  refugees. 

He also commended the continuous Japanese support for UNRWA. 

The Japanese minister told Safadi that his country is committed to continuing to offer support for UNRWA and other UN agencies that are partners in efforts to help refugees and host communities. 

The latest developments pertaining to the Palestinian cause topped the regional side of the discussions. Safadi praised the Japanese stance committed to the two-state solution and the important role of Tokyo in supporting international efforts to realise a comprehensive and just peace as the only means to reach the two-state solution.

Safadi highlighted the importance of finding a real political ground and resuming serious negotiations to realise the envisioned peace through the two-state solution. 

The two ministers also reviewed efforts exerted to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis and other regional crises in a bid to realise security and stability.

Hayashi stressed the “strategic bilateral” relations and the main role of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, to realise security, stability and peace in the Middle East. 

He also praised the Kingdom’s humanitarian role towards refugees despite pressures.

The two ministers also reviewed preparations for the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) slated to be held at the UN headquarters in New York next month.