Foreign Minister Safadi Conveys King’s Message to Syrian President Assad
On October 20, 2024, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, delivering a message from King Abdullah addressing bilateral issues, the refugee situation, and regional tensions. Discussions highlighted cooperative efforts to tackle drug smuggling and the need for a ceasefire in neighboring conflict zones, while reaffirming commitments to ensuring the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
On October 20, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi engaged in discussions with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in Damascus. During this meeting, Safadi delivered a verbal message from His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan, focusing on essential bilateral matters and the broader implications of the ongoing Syrian crisis, particularly regarding refugee repatriation and the illicit drug trade originating from Syria. In his remarks, President Assad underscored his government’s commitment to facilitating the voluntary, safe return of Syrian refugees, stating that significant progress has already been achieved, especially in legislative and legal frameworks. Furthermore, both leaders acknowledged the urgent need for regional stability, emphasizing the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon while addressing the escalating Israeli actions in the West Bank. Safadi reiterated Jordan’s commitment to ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity and expressed the importance of resolving this humanitarian crisis collaboratively. Following their initial discussions, Safadi held additional talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh, focusing on counteracting drug smuggling and solidifying cooperative efforts through the recently operational Jordanian-Syrian joint committee established for this purpose in July 2023. The ministers jointly resolved to continue fostering dialogues aimed at facilitating the safe return of refugees and reiterated their commitment to working through the Arab Contact Group for a sustainable political resolution to the Syrian crisis. The situation of refugees remains a critical issue; while acknowledging the need for their return to Syria, the ministers agreed on the importance of continued international support until such repatriation can occur. The discussions culminated in a strong mutual commitment to expedite solutions to the crisis while calling for immediate international intervention to halt the escalating aggression in the region.
The discussions between Jordan and Syria’s top officials come amidst ongoing regional tensions exacerbating the humanitarian crises resulting from the Syrian conflict and the influx of refugees into neighboring countries. With Jordan hosting a considerable number of Syrian refugees, maintaining stability and security along its borders—especially regarding drug smuggling—is crucial both for Jordanian nationals and for the continued efforts toward regional peace. This latest meeting reflects Jordan’s advocacy for resolving the Syrian crisis pragmatically, emphasizing bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit while addressing broader regional issues.
In summary, the dialogue between Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi and President Bashar Al Assad highlights the pressing need for addressing the Syrian refugee crisis and drug smuggling challenges, while also reinforcing Jordan’s commitment to regional stability. The exchanges emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts to facilitate the safe return of refugees and signal a willingness to engage the international community for enduring resolutions to the humanitarian and geopolitical challenges posed by the Syrian conflict.
Original Source: www.jordantimes.com
