STORY: Jordanian, Spanish FMs say no alternative to UNRWA
SHOOTING TIME: March 13, 2024
DATELINE: March 14, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:06
LOCATION: Amman
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the meeting between Jordanian and Spanish foreign ministers
2. various of the press conference
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordanian Foreign Minister
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, Spanish Foreign Minister
5. various of Jordanian and Spanish foreign ministers leaving the press room

STORYLINE:

Jordanian and Spanish foreign ministers on Wednesday agreed that there is no alternative to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), especially in light of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
   
During a press conference with his Spanish counterpart, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi commended Spain's steadfast position in supporting the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Safadi stressed that UNRWA must continue to carry out its tasks, with an emphasis on the urgent need to immediately stop the firing in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter the sector.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordanian Foreign Minister
"We discussed the deteriorating situation that is continuing in Gaza. We agreed that the aggression must stop immediately. It is necessary to deliver sufficient humanitarian aid (to Gaza). Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian territory. Any future approach must be based on this rule and the target of creating a Palestinian state on all Palestinian land including the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem."
   
For his part, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said his country has been seeking to stop the supply of weapons to the conflict zone.

"In Spain, we have stopped granting licenses for arms exports to Israel since Oct. 7, and imposed sanctions on 12 settlers from Israel," he said.
   
"The situation in Gaza and the West Bank concerns us," he said, adding, "We must continue to work at political level" to stop the war and the cycle of violence that has been ongoing for years.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, Spanish Foreign Minister
"Both of us, Minister Safari and I, have agreed from the beginning on the urgent need for a ceasefire that facilitates the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid and that allows the civilian population to stop dying from bombs and hunger. That is really urgent and that is my first call. There also should be an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages, and unconditional respect for international humanitarian law."

Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan received the Spanish minister and reiterated the need to stop the war on Gaza, protect civilians, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave sufficiently and sustainably by all possible means.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Amman.
(XHTV)