AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday discussed relations and efforts to increase cooperation in the economic, trade and agricultural fields to serve the two countries interests, in addition to the conditions of Jordanian students in
Russia, according to Jordan News Agency, Petra.
اضافة اعلان
The talks went over several regional and international issues of common interest, including the Palestinian cause, support for Iraq, the current situation in southern Syria and efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and the Ukrainian crisis.
In joint press statements after a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Safadi said that his meeting with Lavrov witnessed an "extensive, transparent and candid dialogue" on bilateral relations and regional and international challenges.
Safadi added, "Today, we discussed steps that can contribute to strengthening cooperation in the economic, trade and agricultural fields to serve the interests of the two friendly countries."
He stressed that talks also focused on the Syrian crisis, "especially in southern Syria, and the dangers of its instability that deepen the suffering of our brothers and threaten our national security," adding "We have looked over the steps required to neutralize this threat and provide stability in southern Syria."
Pointing to threats in southern Syria, Safadi said they include smuggling narcotics into the Kingdom and militias backing these drug smuggling operations and other aggressive acts, in addition to increasing terrorist outposts.
"The Russian presence in southern Syria is a factor of stability in these circumstances, where a political solution to the crisis remains an unfulfilled goal," he indicated, urging Jordanian-Russian coordination to address these challenges in southern Syria.
"The Kingdom will continue to do everything it takes to protect our national security," Safadi stressed in light of threats to Jordan.
The two ministers reviewed efforts exerted to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, which preserves Syria's unity and cohesion, protects its sovereignty, rids it of terrorism, guarantees its security and stability, and creates conditions for the repatriation of refugees.
Safadi underscored the need to renew UN Resolution 2642, which, he said, Jordan considers necessary for delivering humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.
He indicated that he briefed Lavrov on Jordan's proposal to materialize a collective Arab leadership role in efforts to resolve the crisis.
Pointing to Palestinian cause, a central issue to Jordan, he reaffirmed that the two-state solution is the only way to resolve the conflict and achieve comprehensive peace, warning against Israeli escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as continued measures that undermine the chances of achieving peace.
Going over the Ukrainian crisis, Safadi said that Jordan calls for an immediate cease-fire and reaching a political solution to end the conflict and its consequences on the world and ensure respect for international law, international legitimacy, UN charter and resolutions, principles of good-neighborliness, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protects the legitimate interests of all parties.
Jordan's position toward the crisis, he stated, was affirmed along with other Arab state members of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group on Ukraine, which had met with Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and remains willing to contribute to peaceful efforts to resolve the crisis under these principles.
Stressing the significance of renewing the grain export agreement with Russia, he said that it is an "important step to mitigate the impact of the crisis on global food security."
For his part, Lavrov described the talks as "fruitful," tackling bilateral cooperation and outcomes of meetings of the two countries' joint committee, pointing to broad prospects for increasing cooperation in many economic, trade, educational and agricultural fields.
He said his country intends to increase scholarships for Jordanian students, indicating that there are currently 1,500 Jordanians studying in Russian universities.
Lavrov affirmed his country's support for international commitments related to the Syrian crisis, and the importance of dialogue platforms, including the Astana Platform, in which Jordan participates as an observer.
The Russian minister praised Jordanian efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, while urging more aid to the Syrian people in implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2642.
Lavrov also welcomed the results of the Arab summit, which concluded in Algeria yesterday.
On the Palestinian cause, Lavrov affirmed Russia's support for the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative, underlining Russia's appreciation of His Majesty King Abdullah II's role in preserving holy sites in Jerusalem.
He stressed the importance of the Quartet committee's role in efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue, calling it a "mechanism based on a UN Security Council resolution."
On Iraq, Lavrov affirmed supporting Iraq's security and stability.
On the Ukrainian crisis, Lavrov said that he explained to Safadi Russia's position and the latest developments in detail.
In response to a Turkish proposal, Lavrov called for the renewal of the grain and fertilizers export deal, adding that "Unfortunately, we are not witnessing any embodiment of the agreement's second part of its package, which was put forward by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, regarding the lifting of all barriers hindering Russian exports of fertilizers and grains."
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