Jordanian FM: Arab Peace Treaties Not an Alternative to Peace with Palestinians
Arab World
Washington - Ali Barada
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi stressed on Thursday that the peace treaties concluded between some Arab states and Israel could not be an alternative to addressing the Palestinian-Israeli issue. During a panel discussion at the Brookings Institution on the Jordanian-US strategic partnership, the Minister rejected a one-state solution. “It will be the one state's reality and it will be an ugly reality whereby apartheid will be institutionalized and that's something that will not bring peace to all of us and will not solve the conflict and then allow all of us in the region to move forward to addressing our common concerns,” he said. Safadi later held talks in Washington with his US counterpart Antony Blinken. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the two officials emphasized the importance of the US-Jordan strategic partnership in advancing shared regional goals of peace, stability, and security. They discussed the importance of implementing reforms that expand economic growth and opportunity, including securing access to water. Price said the Secretary reaffirmed US commitment to stability in the region through the support of a political solution in Syria and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Blinken also thanked the Foreign Minister for Jordan’s leadership in the region, particularly in its hosting of refugees. The Jordanian minister is in Washington for talks on the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the strategic partnership between the two countries. Safadi said the MoU will contribute to supporting economic reforms launched by Jordan, in addition to its positive impact on facing economic challenges. His meetings also touched on a number of the Middle East region's issues including the Palestinian cause, the Syrian crisis, supporting Iraq and fighting terrorism. During Thursday’s panel at the Brookings Institution, Safadi said, “We cannot just rely solely on the US to come and do everything for us.” The FM added, “We have to do the heavy lifting in the region ourselves, and we have to engage in a two-way traffic whereby we do what we have to do, and the US is there to support and come up with ideas.” Safadi uncovered that his country has been able to conclude an agreement that would allow for the export of energy through Syria into Lebanon. “Discussions are extremely advanced in terms of providing Egyptian gas through Jordan, through Syria, and there, we're doing all of that in coordination with the US, with other partners, with the World Bank to make sure that we do get this support to the Lebanese because they simply need it,” he stressed. Tackling the situation in Syria, he said the consequences of 11 years of war are devastating in every way possible.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3415481/jordanian-fm-arab-peace-treaties-not-alternative-peace-palestinians
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