Brussels: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, attended an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, with discussions focusing on the ongoing war in Gaza and the urgent need for actions to halt the aggression and protect civilians.
At the high-level meeting, which also included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Safadi highlighted the necessity of an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasized the importance of delivering consistent and sustainable humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people throughout the Gaza Strip.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Safadi held talks with his counterparts, including the Foreign Ministers of Spain, Finland, Bulgaria, Ireland, and the Netherlands, as well as the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Affairs.
The discussions revolved around the dire developments in Gaza and the collective efforts required to end the war and ensure the protection of civilians.
During
these discussions, Safadi forcefully communicated the need to stop the war in Gaza, citing its catastrophic repercussions in contradiction to international law, humanitarian law, and moral and human values.
He stressed the necessity for Israel to heed the international community’s calls to end the war and ensure the provision of adequate and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.
Reaffirming Jordan’s position, Safadi expressed the Kingdom’s strong rejection of any displacement of Palestinians, either within or outside their homeland. He stated that the only path to achieving lasting security, stability, and peace in the region lies in the realization of the two-state solution.
This solution envisions the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting in peace and security alongside Israel.
Prior to the EU Council meeting, Safadi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan conducted a coordinat
ion meeting within the framework of ongoing consultation and coordination between the two countries.
This meeting focused on the developments in Gaza, the efforts to stop the war, and its disastrous repercussions. They emphasized the need for the international community to adopt a decisive and effective stance towards establishing a ceasefire and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.
In press statements before the meeting commenced, Safadi stated, ‘Today’s meeting is a critical engagement with EU foreign ministers to collaboratively determine how to resolve the catastrophe that the Israeli aggression against Gaza continues to exacerbate.’
He added, ‘Our priorities are clear: an immediate ceasefire, substantial efforts to bring enough humanitarian aid into all parts of the Gaza Strip, and a recognition that this aggression has brought nothing but destruction, devastation, and has further eroded confidence in the peace process.’
Safadi emphasized, ‘The only way to achieve security
for all is through the two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital, established on the June 4, 1967 lines, and coexisting in security and peace with Israel.’
Speaking about the duration and impact of the aggression, Safadi noted, ‘Today marks the 108th day of this aggression. Over 25,000 Palestinians have been killed during it, Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, hospitals have been attacked. Even the Jordanian field hospital, sent to provide medical services to Palestinians, was also attacked by Israel last Wednesday.’
Regarding Europe’s role in the situation, Safadi added, ‘Europe has a significant role in maintaining regional security. Today, we anticipate a frank and clear dialogue, and we hope to reach a comprehensive understanding that further killing will only endanger security and peace, not just in the region but also globally. We are committed to working together to achieve a ceasefire.’
In response to a question about the rece
nt attacks in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, Safadi stated, ‘The entire region is experiencing significant tensions. Our objective is to collaborate to end all these tensions on a foundation that guarantees security and peace for all and respects the sovereignty of every country.’
Responding to comments about Netanyahu’s rejection of the two-state solution, Safadi remarked, ‘We have clearly stated that the Israeli government is not only opposed to the two-state solution but has been systematically working for years to undermine it, thus jeopardizing the chances for peace. The international community must now decide and take measures against those preventing the people of the region from living in security and peace.’
In response to a question about the day’s meeting with the EU and the approach to achieving a two-state solution, Safadi stated, ‘We, as Arab nations, are in complete agreement. The Arab delegation has made our positions clear to the permanent members of the Security Council: immediate cessation o
f the aggression, introduction of sufficient and sustainable aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip, rejection of displacement, and condemnation of all war crimes committed by Israel in the region. Additionally, we emphasize that the only path to peace is through the two-state solution, which embodies the independent, sovereign Palestinian state with occupied Jerusalem as its capital, along the June 4, 1967 lines.’
He concluded, ‘The Arab position is unequivocal. We look forward to a deep, transparent, and clear dialogue with our partners in the European Union. Let’s work together to end this catastrophe, the repercussions of which affect everyone, whether in terms of eroding confidence in international legitimacy or the perception of double standards in applying international law. Therefore, there is a mutual interest and an imperative need to halt this aggression and begin a real plan to implement the two-state solution, starting with the recognition of the independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lin
es, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Then, we can work collectively to address all the consequences that ensure security and peace for all.’
Source: Jordan News Agency