We hope to see Israel’s commitments implemented on the ground — King

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah has voiced "grave concern" about the escalation of Israeli violations that have affected Jerusalem and its sanctuaries and the violence that followed, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty said during a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Sunday that Jordan takes its religious and historic responsibilities towards Al Haram Al Sharif and the Islamic and Christian sanctuaries very seriously and that upholding the status quo in line with previous understandings between Jordan and Israel is the Kingdom's top priority.

King Abdullah said, "I heard the statements made by Prime Minister Netanyahu last night and his affirmation of his commitment to uphold the status quo. This is a commitment that we welcome very much here and we hope to see that those commitments are implemented on the ground."

The King added, "I believe that this would allow the violence to end, to decrease the tension and I hope will allow a resumption of efforts to readdress the core issues through negotiations because this is an issue that has to be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

His Majesty welcomed the Czech Republic prime minister's visit and stressed the unique bilateral relations, saying this visit is a chance to improve the already strong ties.

The King said, "Your country, in particular, plays such an important role in the EU. I believe that with the tremendous challenges we are facing in the region, especially as we see with Palestine and Israel, and obviously in Syria, we will have a lot to discuss today."

For his part, Sobotka, who arrived in the Kingdom Saturday for a two-day official visit, voiced his country’s praise for the level of relations with Jordan, and said, “Our relationship, for fifty years already, has been very good until now and I am very happy to continue and go on after the visit of our president, Mr. Milos Zeman. I would like to [convey] best regards from our president.”

The Czech prime minister added: “I can assure you that we, as the Czech Republic, are doing our best to resume negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli people. I think the two-state solution is the real peace process for both sides.”

The two sides discussed cooperation in the fields of defence industries, tourism and joint projects, in addition to regional and international efforts to combat terrorism. 

In regard to the Syrian refugees, Jordan is doing its humanitarian role towards them through hosting them and offering them basic services, King Abdullah said, adding that the Kingdom is looking forward to the support of the international community and the World Bank as part of a sustainable strategy to help it bear the burdens of the crisis.

Sobotka highlighted the problems Europe is facing because of the Syrian refugees’ influx and the role his country is performing in the field “within its limited capabilities”, saying he came to Jordan to see how best to assist it. 

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan, and the delegation accompanying the Czech prime minister, in addition to Czech Ambassador to Jordan Petr Hladik.

Also on Sunday, Ensour held a meeting with Sobotka, where he said that Jordan has been always left alone after each crisis and never received the necessary support to sustain its humanitarian assistance to refuge seekers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Ensour reviewed the burdens borne by Jordan as a result of receiving several refugee influxes, particularly the 1.4 million Syrian refugees, 2 million Palestinians, 500,000 Iraqis, 50,000 Libyans and 50,000 Yemenis.

Jordan is considered the model of a modern democratic country, the premier said, adding that the Kingdom has also set an example of moderation in the Arab and Islamic worlds, at a time when it does not put people in jail or send them into exile for their political opinions.

On the Palestinian issue, Ensour stressed that the failure to reach a comprehensive and just solution to the issue is the basis for all problems and conflicts the Middle East is witnessing, highlighting the need for the international community to pressure Israel to comply with international legitimacy resolutions.

The prime minister also stressed Jordan’s keenness to enhance its relations with the Czech Republic and Sobotka voiced hope that Jordan revives peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis and achieves regional peace and stability.

Sobotka highlighted the importance of opening a Jordanian embassy in  the Czech Republic to facilitate following up on the interests of both countries and peoples. 

The two premiers also agreed on forming a joint committee for economic and development cooperation between the two countries, Petra added.