Amman, Mar. 13 (Petra)-- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi participated Thursday evening in the 8th Joint Ministerial Meeting between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which was held virtually.
The meeting, convened on the sidelines of the 167th Ministerial Council session of the Gulf Cooperation Council, discussed prospects for strengthening joint cooperation and activating the work of the joint committees established to structure and expand institutional collaboration across several vital sectors of shared interest.
The session was chaired by Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as the current president of the GCC Ministerial Council.
Participants reaffirmed the depth of the historic and fraternal relations between Jordan and GCC countries and stressed the importance of further strengthening and developing them across various fields, particularly in security, defense, economic, and investment cooperation.
The meeting also addressed regional developments and the repercussions of the serious escalation witnessed in the region, including Iranian attacks on Arab countries, and discussed prospects for restoring calm and advancing diplomacy as a means to reinforce security and stability.
During the meeting, Safadi reaffirmed the strength of Jordan’s relations with GCC countries and highlighted the importance of the eighth joint ministerial meeting in advancing cooperation across multiple sectors.
He pointed to the importance of the steps taken to translate the strategic partnership between Jordan and the GCC into broader economic, trade, defense, security, and political cooperation.
Safadi also stressed the importance of holding the Second Jordan–GCC Investment Conference at the earliest possible time. He expressed appreciation for the efforts made by GCC countries in hosting and supporting Jordanian citizens residing and working in their territories.
The foreign minister reiterated Jordan’s condemnation of Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and Gulf states, emphasizing Jordan’s solidarity with its Arab partners in confronting these attacks and supporting measures aimed at protecting their security, stability, sovereignty, and the safety of their citizens.
Safadi also praised the efforts of the Kingdom of Bahrain in its capacity as a non-permanent member representing the Arab group on the United Nations Security Council for presenting the joint Jordanian-Gulf resolution adopted as Resolution 2817, which condemns what it described as unjustified Iranian attacks targeting Jordan and GCC countries, and which received broad international backing.
The meeting further discussed ways to restore security and stability in the region and emphasized dialogue as the primary path to resolving disputes.
Participants also addressed regional developments related to the Palestinian issue. Safadi underscored the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the shared position in supporting the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and an independent, sovereign state on their national soil.
He stressed the need to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza Strip and to halt illegal Israeli measures in the West Bank that undermine prospects for achieving a just peace. Safadi also warned against the dangers of Israel continuing to close the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif to worshippers.
Safadi reaffirmed Jordan’s support for the Lebanon government in its efforts to strengthen state institutions and ensure that arms remain exclusively under state control.
He also condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon, calling for an immediate halt and warning of their security, economic, and political repercussions for the entire region.
He further stressed the shared position supporting the Syrian Arab Republic and the efforts of the Syrian government to rebuild the country and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people after years of hardship and suffering.
For their part, ministers and representatives of GCC countries participating in the meeting praised the strong historic and fraternal ties between Gulf states and Jordan, expressing their aspiration to further enhance cooperation across various sectors in a manner that serves common interests.
They also reaffirmed their full solidarity with Jordan in confronting Iranian attacks targeting its territory.
//Petra// MF
