Judeh, Kerry discuss ties, Mideast issues

Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Nasser Judeh on Wednesday met with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry and discussed with him U.S.-Jordanian relations and Middle East issues, particularly peacemaking efforts and Syria. The two sides stressed the need for continued coordination and consultation regarding various issues of common interest. They also tackled today’s Amman meeting on Syria and the importance of finding a political solution to stop violence and bloodshed in Syria. The two officials discussed efforts to kick-start serious and effective peace negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to bring about an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on pre-1967 lines. Judeh told a press conference after the meeting, that he discussed with Kerry the humanitarian ramifications of the Syrian crisis on Jordan which hosts nearly 540,000 refugees and put a major burden on its resources. Kerry warned that if no political solution to is brought about to this crisis in Syria, the alternative would be more violence and the division of Syria, stressing that concerned parties must be aware of the importance of a political settlement and they have to contribute to finding a solution.