(MENAFN- Jordan Times) AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Josep Borrell on Thursday held the first political consultation session between the two countries, in implementation of a memorandum of understanding Amman and Madrid signed in 2018 to framework consultation and coordination.Discussions addressed the means to build on the 'historical partnership' between the two kingdoms through increasing the level of economic cooperation. Talks also reviewed regional developments and the efforts exerted to deal with them, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Safadi and Borrell highlighted the importance of the joint economic committee meetings that were held for the first time in Amman, which paved the way for a strategy that aims at increasing cooperation in several fields, such as the trade, tourism, investment and water administration sectors.
Safadi commended Spain's initiative to provide a finance channel through a soft loan for the Kingdom to support water projects and small schemes.
In joint press remarks following the meeting, Safadi said that Spain is the third biggest economic partner with Jordan among EU countries, noting that Amman and Madrid have a clear vision towards activating cooperation in various fields.
The minister added that talks addressed the latest developments in the Palestinian issue, the Syrian crisis, the war on terrorism and other regional issues.
As for the Palestinian cause, he expressed concern over the lack of political solution to the issue, adding that Jordan and Spain agree that the only tool for ending the occupation is the two-state solution, which can guarantee the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Regarding Syria, the minister highlighted the importance of achieving progress towards a political solution that can end this 'suffering and catastrophe', and that can realise peace and security for Syria and guarantee its unity.
For his part, Borrell expressed his happiness for visiting Jordan for the first time, saying that Amman is a model for moderation and stability in the region and a faithful partner in all issues of the Middle East, such as the peace process and Syria.
The foreign minister added that as part of his country's national plan for resettlement, Spain agreed to host 700 Syrian refugees in 2018 and 1,200 others in 2019 from Jordan, noting that a total of 389 Syrian refugees have been resettled in Spain until the end of April.
During the meeting, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in water administration, which was inked by Water Minister Raed Abul Saud and Borrell.
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