(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) AMMAN, Jan 13 (KUNA) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that the so-called deal of the century to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict "is not on the table, because it is mere words that have not yet materialized." This came during a joint press conference Sunday by Le Drian and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi, after a meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East and Jordanian-French cooperation.
Le Drian affirmed that France and Jordan agreed on the framework for resolving the Palestinian issue, which should be based on Security Council resolutions and two states living side by side in peace and Jerusalem as the capital of the two countries.
Regarding the Syrian case, Le Drian said that resolving the Syrian crisis comes with the eradication of the so-called Islamic state terrorist group (IS).
He affirmed that his country would continue efforts to find a solution to the Syrian crisis within UN resolution 2254 as a way out of the conflict that has torn Syria for nearly eight years in order to ensure a safe and sustainable return of Syrian refugees.
The French Minister stressed the necessity of holding a transparent elections in Syria that would allow the Syrians to decide their future in the framework of an electoral process in which all Syrians would vote in favor of the peace process.
For his part, Jordanian Foreign Minister said that the two sides discussed in the meeting the attempts to break the deadlock in the political process in the Middle East.
Jordan and France would work together and in partnership with the international community to find a two-state solution and confront unilateral Israeli measures, he added.
Al-Safadi noted that the comprehensive peace is a regional and international necessity for the end of the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in security and peace alongside Israel in accordance with UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.
He praised France's support of the two-state solution, pointing out the significance of the Paris Conference in 2017, its impact on the Palestinian issue and the role of Paris in issuing UN resolution 2334, which clearly affirmed France's support for the Palestinians' right to freedom.
On the Syrian issue, he affirmed that the two sides discussed ways to resolve the crisis and the repercussions of the US decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, referring to a Jordanian-French consultation to stop the suffering of the Syrian people.
"Our priority is to end the crisis in Syria through a solution that guarantees the unity and independence of Syria and reinforces its security, stability and role in the region, leading to a voluntary return of refugees," Al-Safadi said.
King Abdullah II met with French Foreign Minister today, stressing the importance of working with France to achieve security and stability in the region.
According to the Jordanian Royal Court statement, the king stressed the necessity of intensifying international efforts to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (end) ab.aa
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