Safadi talks anti-virus efforts, region with Arab, Turkish counterparts

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Tuesday discussed regional developments and measures taken against the novel coronavirus COVID-19 with a number of his Arab counterparts over the phone, namely the Egyptian, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Iraqi and Turkish foreign ministers.

During the phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri, Safadi went over the repercussions of the pandemic, highlighting the importance of coordinating efforts to avert any catastrophic consequences to the region, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal Bin Farhan emphasised the continuation of coordination and joint action towards combatting the pandemic. Talks also covered regional developments and means of addressing them to serve the countries’ common interests.

Safadi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah discussed measures taken to battle the virus and the latest regional developments, stressing the ongoing coordination between the two countries, which falls within the Jordanian-Kuwaiti cooperation.

During talks with his Iraqi counterpart Mohammad Al Hakim, Safadi reiterated the Kingdom’s support to Iraq’s efforts in combatting the global coronavirus outbreak, stressing that Iraq’s stability and its overcoming of all political, economic and security challenges is vital for regional stability.

The foreign minister also voiced the Kingdom’s support for Iraqis’ efforts to achieve stability and reconstruction and safeguard the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

Safadi and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu affirmed the two sides’ solidarity and integrity in handling the crisis and its implications, with talks also covering the latest regional developments, the source added.