Jordan’s FM delivers message by King to Syria’s Assad
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday, who conveyed a verbal message from King Abdullah II.
The message addressed a range of bilateral issues, including efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and its consequences, particularly the issues of Syrian refugees and drug trafficking.
Regional escalation and the Syrian crisis
The message also touched on the dangerous escalation in the region, emphasizing the need to end the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, and to halt illegal “Israeli” actions in the West Bank as a first step toward de-escalation.
President Assad expressed his appreciation for King Abdullah II’s efforts to help resolve the Syrian crisis and affirmed his commitment to strengthening the brotherly relations between the two nations.
The return of Syrian refugees
Assad and Safadi discussed the return of Syrian refugees, with the Syrian president stressing that the government prioritizes ensuring a voluntary and safe return for the displaced.
He highlighted progress made by the Syrian government, particularly in legislative and legal frameworks.
Safadi underscored that resolving the Syrian crisis and preserving the country’s unity and sovereignty is a regional necessity that Jordan seeks to achieve, emphasizing the importance of creating conditions conducive to the refugees’ return.
Bilateral Cooperation and Combating Drug Trafficking
Following the meeting, Safadi held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam al-Sabbagh, focusing on the refugee issue and efforts to combat drug trafficking.
Both ministers stressed the need to enhance cooperation through the joint Jordanian-Syrian committee established to combat drug trafficking, which began its work in July.
They agreed to strengthen dialogue on facilitating the return of Syrian refugees, with Safadi emphasizing the need for continued international responsibility for refugees until their return is secured.
Cooperation on Syrian Crisis and Regional Escalation
Safadi and Mekdad also agreed to continue discussing bilateral issues through a meeting of relevant ministers in the near future, and reaffirmed their cooperation within efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, including through the Arab Contact Group and in line with the Amman Declaration issued in May.
Regarding regional matters, both ministers called for international action to halt “Israeli” aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, and to end the escalation against the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank – per a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.
