Amman: Jordan's King Abdullah II discussed ways to deepen cooperation and partnership with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during a meeting Sunday in Amman, the royal court said in a statement. The statement highlighted the focus on enhancing cooperation between Jordan and the EU under their strategic and comprehensive partnership agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, both sides emphasized the need to capitalize on economic opportunities, especially through the upcoming Jordan-EU Summit, which Amman will host in January. A planned joint economic forum next year aims to bring together investors from both regions. The discussions also addressed regional developments, with a joint call for comprehensive calm and respect for state sovereignty.
The leaders reaffirmed that a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains the sole path to achieving a just and comprehensive peace. King Abdullah underscored the importance of enforcing the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and halting unilateral Israeli actions against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
A ceasefire, mediated by Trkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, and supported by the US, took effect in Gaza on October 10, ending a two-year Israeli conflict that resulted in over 70,000 deaths and left more than 171,000 injured, predominantly women and children. Despite this, Palestinian authorities have reported daily Israeli violations of the ceasefire, resulting in more than 370 deaths and approximately 1,000 injuries.
Kaja Kallas emphasized the significance of the EU's partnership with Jordan and the shared commitment to enhancing cooperation across sectors. She acknowledged Jordan's crucial role in regional stability. The statement did not specify the duration of Kallas's visit to Jordan.
In separate discussions, Kallas met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to prepare for the Jordan-EU Summit scheduled for January 8 in Amman. The summit will feature participation from King Abdullah, European Council President Ant³nio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Safadi and Kallas also discussed developments in Syria, with Safadi reiterating Jordan's support for Syria based on principles preserving its unity, security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He condemned ongoing Israeli attacks on Syria and Israel's occupation of Syrian territory, citing these actions as clear violations of the UN Charter and Arab sovereignty.
Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last year, Israel expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, infringing upon a 1974 agreement with Syria.