(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
London, March 22 (Petra) - Foreign Minster Ayman Safadi and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly Wednesday held talks in London on the Jordan-UK "distinguished" partnership.
Safadi and Cleverly discussed regional and international issues, especially the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories.
The two ministers reviewed the growing trade relations between Jordan and Britain and the "importance" of enhancing trade exchange, which rose last year to reach JOD210 million, driven by a 162 per cent increase in Jordanian exports to the UK compared to 2021.
The discussions noted the "importance" of the partnership agreement between the two countries, which entered into force in May 2022, in increasing the volume of trade exchange.
Safadi thanked Cleverly for the UK's support for Jordanian economic development programmes and for helping to face the effects of regional crises on Jordan.
He welcomed the UK government's announcement on March 9, by which Jordan would be one of the first countries to benefit from the electronic programmes for granting Jordanians visitor visas to Britain.
Safadi and Cleverly confirmed cooperation in joint diplomatic training programmes.
They affirmed the continuation of work to enhance defence and security cooperation and efforts to combat terrorism, including through the Aqaba meetings.
Safadi presented Cleverly talked about the economic reform programme in Jordan to improve economic performance, attract investment and activate partnerships with the private sector.
Cleverly commended Jordan's role as a "key" partner in the region and its efforts to promote security, peace and stability.
He praised Jordan's "great" humanitarian role in hosting refugees, noting the UK's commitment to continue supporting refugees in Jordan and the region.
Safadi warned of the danger of deterioration in the occupied Palestinian Territories, noting the "need" for the international community to stop the unilateral Israeli actions that "fuel violence and undermine the two-state solution."
He described the latest comments of the far-right Israeli finance minister denying the existence of Palestinians and showing a map of Israel that included Jordan and Palestinian Territories as "despicable."
Safadi discussed the UK's role in stopping the escalation and finding a political horizon to re-launch negotiations to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
Safadi and Cleverly discussed the Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh meetings and their outcomes, noting the "necessity" of implementing the agreements and stopping the illegal Israeli measures.
Safadi noted the "need" to respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites
He commended the UK's support for the two-state solution, rejecting settlements and violating international law.
The meeting discussed the Jordanian initiative to resolve the Syrian crisis and address its humanitarian, security and political consequences through direct engagement with the Syrian government.
The two ministers affirmed their support for the security and stability of Iraq and its efforts to enhance security and stability and meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people.
The meeting focused on the Ukrainian crisis and its regional and international repercussions. Safadi affirmed Jordan's position calling for stopping the war and resolving the crisis.
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