Baku, July 8 (Petra) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi met
on Wednesday with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku
on prospects of advancing bilateral cooperation, and also discussed
regional developments.

The ministers stressed the deep economic relations in energy,
tourism, trade, and investment, and agreed to carry out a trade
roadmap set during November’s joint committee meeting in Baku.

The ministers co-chaired a second round of political consultations,
and signed two major agreements: a visa-waiver agreement to
facilitate business travel and tourism, and a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) to expand energy cooperation.

They also discussed regional developments, stressing the need to
boost efforts to end escalation and bring about security and
stability in the region.

In a joint press conference with his Azeri counterpart, Safadi spoke
of Jordan’s commitment to elevating bilateral relations, adding that
His Majesty King Abdullah II places great importance on expanding
cooperation in trade, industry, investment, tourism, and education
fields.

On regional matters, Safadi urged adherence to the memorandum of
understanding that led to a ceasefire between the United States and
Iran, and stressed dialogue as the avenue to end the crisis.

He reiterated Jordan’s rejection of any attacks on the Kingdom and
its brotherly Arab Gulf states, and the need to reach a solution
based on respect for international law and the sovereignty of states,
addressing all causes of tension in recent years, and ensuring
freedom of navigation and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Safadi said he and his Azeri counterpart had an in-depth discussion
of the Palestinian issue, and stressed the need to fully implement US
President Donald Trump’s plan to stabilize Gaza and ensure the
unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, which helps to
achieve stability and opens the way for a better future of peace.

Safadi valued Baku’s support of the two-state solution that ends the
occupation and paves the way for an independent and sovereign
Palestinian state that lives in security and peace alongside Israel
in accordance with international law and international legitimacy
resolutions as the only path to just peace.

He congratulated Azerbaijan on reaching a peace agreement with
Armenia, stressing the Kingdom’s welcome and support for the deal as
a key step towards consolidating peace between the two countries and
in the entire region.

Safadi also told reporters there are many opportunities for regional
cooperation in the fields of oil pipelines, railway and land
transport, electrical connectivity, communications and information
technology between the Arabian Gulf, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and
Central Asian countries.

He pointed to Jordan’s competitive advantage in terms of location,
stability and qualified human resources, adding that Syria’s
restoration of its stability and status opens the way for regional
connectivity from the Gulf and through Jordan and Syria to Turkey and
from there to the countries of Central Asia.

For his part, Bayramov stressed the importance of closer cooperation
with Jordan in many sectors of joint interest, reflecting the solid
friendship, trust and mutual respect between the two countries.

He said he looks forward to starting direct and regular flights
between Azerbaijan and Jordan, to strengthen relations.

The Azeri minister pointed out the importance of the visa exemption
agreement, which will enhance communication between the two peoples,
stimulate tourism, and facilitate the movement of businessmen in the
two countries.

Earlier in the day, Safadi visited Victory Park and Martyrs’ Lane in
Baku, where he laid wreaths in honor of Azerbaijan’s fallen.

//Petra// HA, SS