Jordan’s foreign minister, EU Mediterranean commissioner discuss partnership, Gaza cease-fire

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi received a phone call Wednesday from Dubravka Suica, the EU’s Mediterranean commissioner, and underscored “the strong and longstanding partnership between Jordan and the European Union,” according to the Jordanian news agency, Petra.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation across various fields.

The two officials discussed efforts to achieve a "permanent cease-fire" in Gaza and emphasized the importance of collaboration to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave.

Israel has launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip that has killed nearly 45,100 victims, mostly women and children, since an attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last month for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.​​​​​​​

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza.

The talks between Safadi and Suica also covered Syria, with both reiterating the importance of "launching a comprehensive, Syrian-led political process to rebuild Syria based on principles that preserve its unity and sovereignty while safeguarding the rights of all its citizens," according to the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.