Hague, Sept. 4 (Petra)– Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi on Friday met with Dutch
Prime Minister Rob Jetten during an official visit to the Hague,
where he also held talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Dilan
Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma.

During his meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister, Safadi conveyed His
Majesty King Abdullah II’s greetings to King Willem-Alexander of the
Netherlands and his appreciation for the longstanding friendship
between Jordan and the Netherlands.

Safadi also conveyed the King’s greetings to Prime Minister Jetten,
who in turn conveyed his greetings to His Majesty. Jetten underscored
the importance his country attaches to its partnership with Jordan
and its keenness to further develop bilateral relations.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen Jordanian-Dutch cooperation
across various fields, as well as efforts aimed at ending the
escalation and achieving security and stability in the region.

Safadi also held extensive talks with his Dutch counterpart Tom
Berendsen on bilateral relations and ways to advance them in various
areas, as well as regional and international developments.

The two ministers co-chaired the fourth round of political
consultations between Jordan and the Netherlands, reaffirming the
importance of continued coordination and consultation and of
expanding cooperation in the political, economic, trade, investment,
security, defense and education fields, while building on the steady
progress in bilateral relations.

The talks also focused on strengthening the partnership between the
two countries, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations.

Safadi and Berendsen stressed the importance of boosting economic,
trade and investment cooperation, expanding partnerships between the
private sectors of both countries, and capitalizing on opportunities
in priority sectors, including water, agriculture, renewable energy,
technology and innovation, logistics and healthcare.

The two ministers also discussed ways to build on existing
investments and partnerships, including cooperation in the ports and
logistics sector in Aqaba. They highlighted the partnership as an
important model for investment cooperation that supports Aqaba’s
position as a trade gateway and regional logistics hub.

They affirmed the need to strengthen bilateral relations and
cooperation within the framework of the Jordan-EU partnership, while
seeking to broaden the prospects for cooperation in a manner that
serves the interests of both countries and their friendly peoples.

Safadi and Berendsen also reaffirmed continued cooperation in
humanitarian response efforts in Gaza.

The two sides discussed regional developments, particularly efforts
aimed at ending the escalation, restoring calm and enhancing security
and stability in the region.

Safadi and his Dutch counterpart expressed support for efforts to
reach a sustainable ceasefire between the United States and Iran,
stressing that diplomacy and dialogue should be the means to reach a
comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of tension.

They also discussed developments in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Safadi stressed the need for full implementation of US President
Donald Trump’s plan to consolidate stability in Gaza and for the
complete removal of Israeli restrictions on the entry of adequate and
sustainable humanitarian aid into the Strip.

Safadi called for an end to Israel’s unlawful measures in the
occupied West Bank, including settler violence, settlement expansion,
land confiscation and violations of the historic and legal status quo
governing Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He said such
measures undermine prospects for the two-state solution and efforts
to achieve a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees security
and stability in the region.

Safadi commended the Netherlands’ support for the two-state solution,
describing it as the only path toward achieving a just and
comprehensive peace.

He also welcomed measures taken by the Netherlands in response to
Israel’s escalating actions in the West Bank, particularly the ban on
imports of settlement products, saying the move reflects rejection of
Israel’s unlawful measures, which constitute a clear violation of
international law and further push the region toward conflict.

Safadi praised Dutch support for the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stressing the
need for the international community to continue supporting the
agency, which plays an indispensable and irreplaceable role in
providing vital services to Palestinian refugees across its five
fields of operation.

Safadi and Berendsen also discussed developments in Lebanon,
stressing the need to consolidate stability in the country and
support the Lebanese government in extending its sovereignty over all
Lebanese territory.

Safadi underscored the need for Israel to withdraw from the Lebanese
territories it has occupied and to implement the understandings
reached with the Lebanese government.

The two ministers also stressed the importance of supporting the
Syrian government in its reconstruction efforts on foundations that
safeguard Syria’s unity, sovereignty, security, stability and
territorial integrity, while protecting the rights of all Syrians.

Safadi separately met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Defense Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, with whom he discussed ways to
strengthen cooperation in defense, border security and combating drug
trafficking, in addition to developments in the region.

Safadi and Yeşilgöz-Zegerius signed a defense cooperation agreement
between Jordan and the Netherlands aimed at enhancing cooperation and
coordination, as well as the exchange of expertise and training.

Safadi also met with Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma to discuss ways to increase economic and
trade cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Safadi expressed Jordan’s anticipation of active Dutch participation
in the Jordan-EU Investment Conference, which Jordan will host on
November 19. He highlighted the conference’s importance in showcasing
investment opportunities in Jordan, strengthening ties between the
two business communities and building new investment partnerships
between the private sectors of Jordan and the Netherlands.

During his meetings in the Netherlands, Safadi commended the support
provided by the Netherlands to Jordan, which is expected to total
around $400 million over 2026-2029 in the areas of water security,
education, youth and women’s empowerment, and support for Jordan in
shouldering the burden of hosting Syrian refugees.

Safadi also participated in a dialogue session hosted by the
Clingendael Institute under the title “75 Years of Jordan-Netherlands
Relations.”

//Petra// MF