Judeh and Belgian counterpart discuss ties region

Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Monday discussed with his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders the bilateral ties and latest developments in the region, especially the Syrian crisis and the peace process. Judeh briefed the visiting minister on the comprehensive reform process in the Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II. He noted recent constitutional amendments and parliamentary elections as well as consultations to name a prime minister. Talks also touched on the Syrian crisis, where Judeh highlighted its negative repercussions on Jordan, which hosts more than 400,000 Syrian refugees. Jordan, he added, is providing the refugees with services despite the economic hardships it faces. Judeh stressed the importance of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibility towards the Syrian people. On Palestine, Judeh reiterated the need to resume talks between Palestinians and Israelis, backed by the international community in order to realize the two-state solution, according to which an independent Palestinian state is set up on the national soil with east Jerusalem as its capital. The Belgian foreign minister said Jordan plays a pivotal role in the Middle East peace efforts, stressing his country’s support for these efforts. He also highlighted the humanitarian role played by Jordan towards Syrian refugees, stressing that his country is supporting Jordan and the UN agencies which provide services for the refugees. Belgium, he said, allocated €5 million of financial assistance to Jordan in 2013 but decided to increase it to €9 million, €1 million of which for Syrians.  The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries.