STORY: Jordan's FM calls for end to "illegal Israeli actions" against Palestine
DATELINE: July 28, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:40
LOCATION: Amman
CATEGORY: POLITICS
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the meeting
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordan's Foreign Minister
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JAMES CLEVERLY, British Foreign Secretary
 
STORYLINE:
 
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi urged an end to "all illegal Israeli actions" that undermine the two-state solution during a joint press conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in the capital Amman. 
 
Safadi condemned Israeli extremists for storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and performing "provocative" religious rituals in violation of international law.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordan's Foreign Minister
"The future of the refugees is in their country, and therefore we must work to provide the conditions that allow them to return voluntarily to their country, and this is part of the effort that we are doing in the kingdom and in cooperation with our brothers in the Arab countries and the international community. This was the focus of our intense efforts in the last period in order to find a political path that takes us towards a solution to the Syrian crisis, and to address all its security, humanitarian and political consequences, in a way that allows the voluntary return of refugees."
 
The two-state solution refers to a proposed framework for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, aiming to establish two separate and independent states - Israel and Palestine - coexisting in peace and security.
 
At the press conference, the Jordanian minister said they also discussed the burden of hosting refugees and the decline in international support for Syrian refugees and relevant organizations.
 
For his part, Cleverly praised Jordan's "important" role in peacemaking and hailed its efforts in upholding regional peace and security.
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JAMES CLEVERLY, British Foreign Secretary
"The pressure that Jordan experiences because of generous hosting of refugees is recognized. The UK has been a long-term supporter of Jordan and I'm very pleased that support will continue and I'm announcing another 30 million pounds of new funding for cash assistance directed towards refugees, but ultimately, just as my friend Ayman has said, the ultimate best way of resolving this refugee hosting challenge is to make sure that the nations from which these refugees have come made safe and those people are able to go back to the countries that they call home."
 
The two sides also discussed strengthening bilateral ties by exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas of technology, investment, trade, defense and security, anti-terrorism, and more.
 
Also on Thursday, the UK official held talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors and the latest development of regional and international issues.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Amman.
(XHTV)