Riyadh, Oct. 21 (Petra) — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi held extensive talks
Wednesday with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al
Saud in Riyadh, discussing regional developments and reaffirming
their countries’ commitment to strengthening strategic ties across
various sectors.

Safadi expressed Jordan’s absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia in
confronting attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia and reiterated
the Kingdom’s full support for all measures taken by Saudi Arabia to
protect its security, stability, sovereignty and the safety of its
citizens and residents.

He renewed Jordan’s condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
and the targeting of civilians and civilian and economic facilities,
describing them as flagrant violations of international law, the UN
Charter and Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and stability.

The two ministers also discussed regional developments and efforts to
end the escalation, contain its regional and international
repercussions and restore calm on the basis of lasting security and
stability, respect for international law, good-neighborly relations,
noninterference in states’ internal affairs and freedom of navigation
through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Safadi thanked Prince Faisal for the care provided by Saudi Arabia to
Jordanian citizens injured in the Houthi militia’s terrorist attack
on King Khalid International Airport on Oct. 10.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation
across various fields, reflecting the depth of the two countries’
historical relations and implementing the directives of their
leaderships.

During the meeting, Safadi and Prince Faisal signed an amended
protocol to the agreement establishing the Jordanian-Saudi Higher
Coordination Council, originally signed in Riyadh in 2016 in the
presence of His Majesty King Abdullah II and Saudi King Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud. The council aims to strengthen cooperation and
coordination across various sectors in the interests of both
countries and their peoples.

The amended protocol updates the council’s organizational structure
and seeks to enhance its role in institutionalizing and expanding
bilateral cooperation and coordination.

The council is chaired by King Abdullah II and Saudi Crown Prince and
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The two countries’ foreign ministers will head the council’s general
secretariat, while their foreign ministries will oversee its
activities, including preparations for council meetings and those of
its committees and working groups.

The Higher Coordination Council will replace the Jordanian-Saudi
Joint Committee.

The amended protocol was signed amid continued growth in economic
relations between the two countries. Bilateral trade exceeded $4
billion in 2025, accounting for 14% of Jordan’s total foreign trade
and making Saudi Arabia the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner.

Saudi investments in Jordan reached approximately $16 billion across
sectors including transport, tourism, financial services and trade.

The number of Saudi tourists visiting Jordan in 2025 also increased
by approximately 14% compared with 2024.

Safadi and Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of the amended
protocol in generating further momentum for bilateral cooperation.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining coordination and
consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

//Petra// AJ