Vienna, Sept. 3 (Petra)-- Deputy Prime Minister and Minsiter of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi and Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger on Thursday affirmed their countries’ commitment to further developing comprehensive cooperation in the service of their shared interests and strengthening the partnership that has linked Jordan and Austria for more than 70 years of diplomatic relations.

During talks in Vienna, the two ministers discussed practical steps to enhance cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, tourism, education and defense sectors.

They also addressed regional developments and efforts aimed at ending the escalation in the region and promoting security and stability.

At a press conference following the talks, Safadi stressed Jordan’s importance attached to its partnership with Austria, highlighting opportunities to expand cooperation across various fields.

He said Jordanian-Austrian relations are clearly moving forward, as reflected in joint economic, educational and defense cooperation programs, as well as bilateral and European Union-backed efforts to promote regional stability.

Safadi also underscored the importance of resuming direct flights between Amman and Vienna in boosting tourism and trade exchanges between the two countries.

He commended Austria’s support for the two-state solution and its assistance in humanitarian response efforts in Gaza and in meeting the needs of refugees.

Safadi said he discussed the situation in Gaza with his Austrian counterpart, stressing the need for the full implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan to stabilize the enclave and for the complete removal of Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid.

He warned of the consequences of Israel’s unlawful measures in the occupied West Bank, including settler violence, settlement expansion, land confiscation and violations of the historical and legal status quo at Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Such measures, he said, undermine the two-state solution and all prospects for achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

Safadi stressed the need for the international community to take effective and influential measures to halt these actions and protect the right of all peoples in the region to live in security and peace.

He said he also discussed with Meinl-Reisinger support for the Syrian government in its reconstruction efforts, describing Syria as a "success story" that Jordan and Austria agree should be supported.

Safadi stressed the need to support the Lebanese government in extending its sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, secure Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory it occupies, implement understandings reached with the Lebanese government and uphold UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

He also condemned Iranian attacks against Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, noting that the attacks began hours after the outbreak of the latest war, despite Jordan and other Arab countries not being parties to the conflict and having worked to prevent it from erupting.

Safadi said Jordan and Austria share the view that diplomacy and dialogue should be the means of resolving the crisis.

Responding to a question, Safadi said the United States is a partner of Jordan and that the two countries cooperate under a defense cooperation agreement. The presence of US forces in Jordan, he explained, is governed by the agreement, with the forces stationed at Jordanian military bases and cooperating with the Jordan Armed Forces in several areas.

He noted that Jordan has similar defense cooperation arrangements with other partner countries whose forces are present in the Kingdom, including Austria. The two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement in April 2026 that provides a framework for the presence of Austrian forces in Jordan to participate in military training and the exchange of expertise.

Safadi said Jordan’s defense cooperation with partner countries has continued for years and has played an effective role in counterterrorism efforts.

He stressed that Jordan seeks good relations with Iran, but achieving such relations requires addressing all previous sources of tension, including support for drug and arms smuggling into Jordan and attempts to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability.

Safadi reaffirmed that Jordan will continue to exercise its sovereign and legal right to take all necessary measures to protect its security, stability, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.

He also congratulated Meinl-Reisinger on Austria’s election as a member of the UN Security Council for a term beginning early next year.

For her part, Meinl-Reisinger said Austria considers Jordan a key partner in the region and a pillar of regional security and stability, highly commending the Kingdom’s role in efforts to promote security, stability and peace in the region.

She also highlighted the depth of the longstanding friendship between Austria and Jordan, which has included numerous royal visits to Austria, stressing the importance of building on the bilateral cooperation achieved, particularly in tourism and renewable energy.

Meinl-Reisinger also emphasized the importance of continuing defense and security cooperation between the two countries under the defense cooperation agreement signed in April 2026, which enables joint cooperation programs and military exercises.

She condemned the Iranian attacks against Jordan and expressed Austria’s solidarity with the Kingdom in confronting them.

Meinl-Reisinger also praised Jordan’s role in delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza and providing medical treatment to injured children from the Gaza Strip in Jordanian hospitals.

She commended Jordan’s efforts to support Syria’s stability, assist its recovery and encourage the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

Earlier on Thursday, Safadi met with several members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees of the Austrian Parliament.

The discussions covered Jordanian-Austrian relations and ways to strengthen them, regional and international developments, and prospects for enhancing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, particularly in light of an upcoming visit to Jordan by the Austrian Parliament’s cross-party Middle East/Gulf Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Safadi also met with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between Jordan and the agency.

On Wednesday, Safadi participated in a dialogue session titled "Jordan’s Role in the Middle East: Peacemaker, Mediator and Pillar of Stability" at the Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue in Vienna.

//Petra// MF