(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, June 25 (Petra) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi discussed with the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Olivér Varhelyi, cooperation in countering the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic consequences within the framework of joint strategic partnership.
In this regard, the FM appreciated the steps taken by the EU to support the Kingdom through practical programs to confront the pandemic and provide a new soft loan, worth €200 million, in addition to the soft loan of €500 million, earlier approved by the EU.
In a telephone call, Safadi and Varhelyi also discussed the support provided by the EU to help the Kingdom cope with the Syrian refugee burdens.
In this context, the bloc continues to provide support to the Kingdom within the frameworks of the partnership, as well as through specialized tools such as the European Union regional fund "Madad" to respond to the Syrian crisis to support refugees and host communities, according to Safadi.
Safadi and the EU official discussed preparations for the Fourth Brussels Conference on the Syrian crisis and the financial support programs that the bloc will provide.
Total international pledges at the third Brussels conference reached € 8.3 billion, two-thirds of which were provided by the EU and its member states.
Safadi and Varhelyi reviewed the efforts made to plug the financial deficit of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and stressed the necessity of joining efforts in the region and the international community to provide the allocations that the agency needs to continue providing its vital services to refugees according to its international mandate.
Safadi thanked Varhelyi for the EU's participation in the international conference organized by Jordan and Sweden to mobilize financial and policy support for the Agency and for the EU's commitment, which represents the Agency's largest direct donor to support UNRWA.
Moreover, Safadi and Varhelyi discussed developments related to the Palestinian cause, especially Israel's decision to annex Palestinian lands.
On peace prospects, Safadi pointed out the importance of the European position rejecting annexation and adhering to the two-state solution, and the EU's central role in efforts to re-launch serious and effective negotiations to resolve the conflict based on the two-state solution.
For his part, Varhelyi said the "EU stood with Jordan in facing economic challenges" and supported its efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the region.
The duo emphasized Jordan's "deep-rooted" partnership with the EU and its importance in the joint EU's endeavor to overcome political, security and economic challenges in the region and to enhance security and stability.
AG
25/06/2020 19:32:47
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