Safadi, Kuwaiti foreign minister talk ties, region

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah on Thursday held talks in Kuwait to build up on recent discussions hosted in Amman on mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation and deepen coordination concerning regional issues

The talks are in implementation of the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah who aim at further developing the “strategic, historical and brotherly” ties between Jordan and Kuwait, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

During the meeting, Safadi and Sheikh Ahmed voiced keenness to embark on "practical" steps to increase cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment and health fields, especially in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two ministers also went over the latest regional developments and means to overcome Middle East challenges in a way that leads to ending crises, achieving security and stability, and serving Arab issues and interests.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, they highlighted the need to revive efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution that leads to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital as per international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Safadi and Sheikh Ahmed also stressed the interconnectivity of Arab security, rejecting foreign intervention in the affairs of Arab countries, calling for establishing regional ties that are based on good-neighbourliness and mutual respect, according to the statement.

The two ministers stressed continued action with Arab countries and the international community to combat terrorism and the culture of hate, which contradicts all human values and do not reflect the true Islamic religion and its values of peace and respect for the other.

Safadi and Sheikh Ahmed agreed to maintain joint coordination and communication as part of efforts to serve joint interests and face present challenges.