King Abdullah II of Jordan received Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, on Monday, during the latter’s current visit to the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Ahmed Hafez, Spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “The meeting [between King Abdullah and Shoukry] dealt with the developments in the Palestinian issue.”
Shoukry expressed Egypt’s full appreciation for Jordan’s role in protecting Islamic and Christian areas of worship in Jerusalem, and noted that his country would continue to coordinate and consult with Jordan on the Palestinian issue.
The minister indicated that the current priority is to stabilise the calm between the Palestinians and Israelis, and commence with reconstruction in light of the ceasefire announced by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
This comes without neglecting the essence of the Palestinian cause, through the need to work on the availability of the necessary political will and creating a favourable atmosphere for reviving the peace process.
Shoukry noted that various international efforts are being resorted to, to move the current stalemate. These aim to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, in accordance with the relevant international legitimacy decisions.
This would be in a way that prevents the renewal of confrontations in the future and consolidates the pillars of peace and stability in the region.
King Abdullah praised the efforts made by Egypt to reach a ceasefire between the two sides. He also emphasised the identical views between Egypt and Jordan regarding the Palestinian issue, and the need to intensify efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
During a press conference, on Monday, with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman, Shoukry stressed that Jerusalem remains a central issue, and that there is no alternative to East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.
He said that this issue is being dealt with within the framework of the settlement and the final solution, and horizons for a solution must be found in order to prevent entering a closed cycle of the ongoing conflict.
Shoukry added, that there is consensus and one vision between Egypt and Jordan regarding the Palestinian issue.
He added that there is a political will from the current US administration to reach a solution on the Palestinian issue.
Egypt wants to establish mechanisms with international partners in an effort to solve the Palestinian issue, indicating that there is consensus and one vision between Egypt and Jordan on the Palestinian issue.
Shoukry highlighted the importance of the two-state solution in accordance with resolutions relating to international legitimacy. He pointed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the fulfilment of the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their state and achieve their demands.
For his part, Safadi said that there is neither a solution nor comprehensive peace unless a two-state solution is reached, and the occupation is ended. He added that Jordan is looking forward to interacting with the US, and returning to serious negotiations to reach a two-state solution.
Safadi added, “The Palestinian issue is the basis of the conflict in the region, and its solution is the key to solving the region’s crises.”
He said that the issue regarding the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem is the displacement of Palestinians from their homes, and that this displacement represents a war crime.
On Monday evening, Shoukry headed to the Palestinian city of Ramallah to reiterate the Egyptian position in support of the Palestinian cause. The minister will be received by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Shoukry’s visit to Ramallah comes as part of the continuous Egyptian moves to build on the ceasefire, and to discuss ways to re-engage in the negotiation track with the Israelis.
The visit also comes as part of Egyptian endeavours to revive the peace process that would lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to 1967 borders, and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Shoukry is looking to also continue coordination on all developments in the Palestinian issue and efforts related to reconstruction in the Gaza Strip
