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It is with great pleasure that
I welcome to Nicosia the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency,
Mr. Ayman Safadi.
Dear Ayman,
Today, we had the opportunity
to review our bilateral agenda and to exchange views on the situation in our
region. We both agree that, in the last decade, bilateral relations between
Cyprus and Jordan have grown stronger. Both sides are committed to deepen and
expand our collaboration.
Areas like tourism, business,
education and defence offer a fertile ground. One such example is the signing
today of the Program of Cooperation in the fields of Education and Culture.
We are also following up
on coordination in firefighting as per the initiative of His Majesty King
Abdullah. Tangible results will be announced soon.
Dear Minister,
Jordan is a pillar of stability
in the region. Recognising that, Cyprus strongly supports the
strengthening of EU - Jordan relations. We will continue to do so.
Also, I assured Minister Safadi
on our commitment to the trilateral cooperation between Greece, Jordan and
Cyprus. To this end, we reviewed our planning for the next Summit at
leaders’ level, which we will host in Nicosia in the second half of the
year.
Moreover, we discussed a range
of regional issues. As a stepping stone, we agree that any move that
genuinely contributes to the stability of our area is, by definition, a very
positive development.
In this context, I had the
opportunity to hear Minister Safadi’s take on the situation in Syria. We
discussed Jordan’s proposal for a “Joint Arab Peace Plan” for a gradual,
step-by-step solution of the Syrian crisis. Cyprus agrees that the status quo in Syria is
unacceptable.
The ordeal of the people of
Syria should come to an end. The refugees and internally displaced persons
should be able to return in safety to their homes. A political settlement on
the Syrian crisis should be found, in line with UNSC Resolution 2254, and
without further delay.
Moreover, it is important to
acknowledge and appreciate Jordan’s generous hosting of Syrian refugees. Over
1.3 million people have found refuge in Jordan. This is something for which
the International Community must be more supportive and thankful.
With Minister Safadi we also
exchanged views on the situation in Sudan and compared notes on respective
evacuation efforts that have been executed in the last few days.
I expressed my appreciation for
providing support in the evacuation of a Cypriot national just yesterday,
during the extraction operation carried out successfully by the Netherlands.
The Minister also mentioned today that if there any more Cypriots on the
ground, Jordan is willing to try to evacuate them at this stage.
The situation in Sudan,
notwithstanding the current ceasefire, remains of great concern. Both in
terms of the humanitarian conditions in the country, but also for regional
stability.
Minister Safadi also briefed me
on two other issues.
Firstly, on the worrisome
developments in the West Bank. I expressed the grave concern of Cyprus for
the situation on the ground. I hope that all parties involved, act with
prudence and restraint.
Secondly, on the perspectives
for the relaunch of the negotiations in the framework of the Middle East
Peace Process for the solution of the Palestinian issue.
I reiterated the support of
Cyprus to the efforts to achieve a two-state solution and the establishment
of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state, on the 1967
lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
I also underlined the
unwavering support of Cyprus to Jordan’s custodianship of the Holy Sites of
Jerusalem, which is vital for stability, and which should be fully respected.
Finally, I briefed Minister
Safadi on the efforts of President Christodoulides for the resumption of
negotiations for a comprehensive and viable solution to the Cyprus issue, in
line with the UN agreed framework of a bizonal bicommunal federation, with
political equality in line with the relevant UNSC Resolutions.
We will continue our efforts
and we will work with our partners with that goal in mind.
Dear Ayman, welcome to Cyprus
and I look forward to working closely with you.
Thank you.
(MF/EP)
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