Jordan, Germany reaffirm rejection of Israeli annexation plans

shaheennews

Jordan and Germany are committed to the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rejecting any annexation plans or unilateral action, the two countries’ foreign ministers reaffirmed.

In remarks during a joint press conference following a meeting on Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, and his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, said they discussed the situation in Palestine, and how to prevent Israel’s plans of annexing about one-third of the occupied West Bank.

Safadi indicated that any Israeli decision to annex occupied Palestinian land is a violation of international law, as undermines all chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace, stressing that such action will have repercussions on the Jordanian-Israeli relations.

“Jordan will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests, and support the establishment of a Palestinian state to achieve a just peace,” he added, warning against the catastrophic consequences of the Israeli annexation plan.

On his German counterpart’s visit to the region during the current conditions, Safadi said it indicates Germany’s commitment to working towards a just and comprehensive solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is a Jordanian and Arab strategic choice.

For his part, Maas expressed concern over the Israeli annexation step as a ‘major escalation’, stressing the European Union’s commitment to the two-state solution and rejection of unilateral action and plans to annex. “We believe that now is the time for diplomacy to bring the two sides to the negotiation table,” he added.

Moving on to issues of international concern, the two officials expressed keenness on continuing bilateral and multilateral work, most notably to put an end to the COVID-19 crisis. In this regard, Maas said that Germany is providing Jordan with 23,000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to help curb the spread of the virus.

Prior to the conference, Safadi and Maas held a joint video conference with Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Riyad al-Maliki, during which they discussed efforts made to prevent the Israeli annexation of Palestinian land and find prospects for negotiations.

//Petra//