Thank you, dear Ayman, Good
afternoon everyone.
I would like to start by
thanking my distinguished colleague and dear friend Ayman, for the warm
welcome and hospitality extended to us here in Amman, as always. As you
already know, Ayman and I maintain regular contact and communication, and my
visit here today is part of our open and rich bilateral coordination.
I am particularly pleased that
my visit coincides with celebrations for the centenary of the Hashemite
Kingdom. I wish therefore to extend also in public our most heartfelt
congratulations and best wishes to the Kingdom, and to our sisters and
brothers in Jordan, for peace and sustained prosperity in the years and
decades to come.
Over the past century, Jordan
has drawn on the long and proud history of its people, to become a true
pillar of peace, security and stability for the broader region, earning
universal respect and recognition for the positive role it plays in regional
affairs.
Today’s deliberations provided
an excellent opportunity to hold an in depth discussion on our bilateral
partnership, which is going from strength to strength. We reviewed the entire
spectrum of our bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the next steps
that lie ahead in our determined efforts to further enhance our excellent
ties.
Unfortunately, as Ayman has
already mentioned, our meeting also coincides with the dramatic escalation of
violence over the past week in Palestine and Israel. Naturally, therefore, a
significant part our discussion was devoted to these alarming developments,
which deeply concern us. The loss of lives, particularly amongst the civilian
population, is deplorable and we agreed with Ayman that every effort should
be made to secure an immediate, lasting ceasefire.
During our discussion, we
exchanged views on particular steps that are required to de-escalate the
current crisis. Regrettably the current situation is also taken advantage of
by third countries to promote their own agenda, and this unacceptable.
Needless to say, Cyprus – as a country of the region maintaining excellent
relations with neighbouring countries, and as an EU Member State –
supports any initiative that aims at restoring calm and therefore preventing
further casualties. We concurred with Ayman, that once de-escalation is
achieved ― and we really hope this can be achieved soon ― the international
community, must act swiftly, in a purposeful and decisive manner towards the
resumption of the peace process track between Palestinians and Israelis.
If there is to be an end to the
vicious cycle of violence in the Middle East, this can only be achieved
through a comprehensive and lasting peace settlement, based on a two-state
solution and on the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
I wish to also reiterate
publicly what I have already said to my good friend and colleague Ayman
during our meeting, and that is, the importance we attach to respecting and
upholding the status quo of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem
under the Hashemite Custodianship.
As you might expect, my visit
also provided an opportunity for me to brief Ayman on the latest developments
regarding the Cyprus problem, and our disappointment for the outcome of the
recent meeting in Geneva.
I reaffirmed our readiness and
commitment to continue to engage in negotiations for a comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on the agreed framework for a
bi-zonal-bi-communal federation, as provided for by the relevant UN Security
Council Resolutions.
I seized the opportunity to
thank Ayman, once again, for Jordan’s continued and unwavering support in our
efforts to reunify Cyprus. There is a shared understanding that
geography is a constant, it does not change, and it is up to countries of the
region to make our geography a blessing, to make our region a region of
peace, stability and prosperity.
Lastly, we had the opportunity
with Ayman to exchange views on the current state of affairs in EU-Jordan
relations. Jordan is a key partner for the EU in the region in many ways,
predictable and reliable, and as such we will continue to actively support
the enhancement of its ties and relations with Europe. Myself and my
colleagues look forward to an open, fruitful discussion with Minister Safadi
at the upcoming Gymnich meeting in Portugal.
As the closest EU Member State
to the region, geographically, we aspire for Cyprus to continue to act as a
bridge with the EU, not only for Jordan but for the entire region,
consistently making the case for the region’s importance from the perspective
of Brussels. At the same time, we shall continue to advocate for the EU’s
need to be present, engaged and active in this part of the world, which is
after all the EU’s own neighbourhood, and one of great geostrategic
importance.
Once again, my dear Ayman,
thank you very much.
(EK)
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