Jordan, Qatar reaffirm ties

AMMAN — Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday received Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi who conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah’s greetings to the emir and His Majesty’s keenness to further develop bilateral ties in various fields in a way that reflects positively on both countries and contributes to enhancing joint Arab action and serving Arab causes.

Sheikh Tamim also conveyed greetings to King Abdullah and highlighted the importance of increasing cooperation in a bid to serve mutual interests of the two countries, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

During the meeting, the Qatari emir and the minister went over the latest regional developments and means to deal with them in a way that contributes to resolving regional crises and instills security and stability in the Middle East.

Safadi also held expanded talks with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, which focused on increasing cooperation mainly at the economic and investment levels, based on the outcomes of the discussions between His Majesty and Sheikh Tamim held in February 2020.

The two ministers reviewed progress made in implementing the Qatari initiative to provide 20,000 jobs for Jordanians in the Gulf country and the investment package that Doha announced to establish infrastructure projects in the Kingdom with a value of $500 million.

Safadi and Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the importance of building a conducive environment to implement the two initiatives as quickly as possible despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic, where the two ministers voiced solidarity in the fight against the virus.

They also agreed to speed up action to implement several agreements and memoranda of understanding in the economic, social and development fields, among others, prior to holding the Higher Joint Jordanian-Qatari Committee that is headed by the two countries’ foreign ministers.

Safadi voiced the Kingdom’s readiness to offer any assistance that Qatar might need in organising the 2022 FIFA World Cup, expressing gratitude for the attention the Jordanian community receives in Qatar.

The Palestinian cause topped issues the two ministers discussed, where they stressed the need to intensify efforts aimed at resuming “serious and effective” negotiations to end the conflict based on the two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital to live in security and peace with Israel as stipulated in international law and the Arab peace initiative.

In this regard, Safadi and Sheikh Mohammed stressed that there is no alternative to the two-state solution to realise a comprehensive and just peace, urging the international community to make effective steps to stop the illegitimate Israeli procedures that undermine the solution, mainly building and expanding settlements, confiscating lands and demolishing residences.

The two ministers also stressed the importance of facing Israeli attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and its attempts to change the historical and legal status quo in the city.

Sheikh Mohammad highlighted the significance of the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in protecting and maintaining the Arab identity of these sanctuaries.

They also reiterated the importance of achieving the Palestinian national reconciliation, voicing support to Palestinian elections slated to be held this year.

Also, Safadi expressed appreciation of Qatar’s financial support to UNRWA to help it overcome its financial crisis and guarantee sustainability of its vital services to Palestinian refugees as stipulated in its UN mandate.

Meanwhile, the two ministers called for intensifying efforts targeting a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

They stressed their support to the achievements realised by Libyans in endeavours to end the crisis in the country.

They also urged supporting all efforts seeking to end the Yemeni crisis as well.

Safadi and Sheikh Mohammed also urged supporting the Iraqi government’s efforts in protecting the country and preserving its sovereignty and instilling security and stability.

They highlighted the importance of ending tensions in the Arab Gulf region on bases that guarantee “healthy regional relations” based on good neighbourliness and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries.

The two ministers highlighted the significance of activating the joint Arab action in facing join challenges, where Safadi commended the outcomes of Al Ula summit and the reconciliation it achieved.