Safadi, French foreign minister talk ties, region

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on Wednesday highlighted the importance of the “strategic” French-Jordanian partnership and joint will to enhance it through further cooperation and coordination in all fields.

During a phone call, Safadi congratulated Colonna on assuming office as foreign minister, stressing the Kingdom’s appreciation of the “deep-rooted friendship” with France and of Paris’ “major role” in helping Jordan overcome regional challenges, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi and Colonna, whose country is currently heading the EU, went over cooperation between the Kingdom and the EU and the 14th meeting of the partnership council that Jordan is scheduled to host on Thursday.

The two ministers stressed the need to continue enhancing cooperation in all fields and boosting coordination regarding regional issues and efforts to realise security and stability.

They also highlighted the significance of launching intensified efforts to reach political grounds to realise a fair and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, stressing continued coordination in these efforts at the bilateral level and with partners in the international community and through the Munich Group that also comprises Egypt and Germany. 

Safadi praised the French stance supporting the two-state solution that calls for respecting the historical status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites.

The two ministers also discussed efforts exerted to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis, support Iraq and its stability and other regional and international issues of mutual interest.

They agreed to hold a meeting soon to follow up on the discussions on mechanisms to enhance cooperation in reaching solutions to regional crises.