The European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, on Monday said the EU values enormously the Jordan’s approach to combat radicalization and counter terrorism.

Mogherini gave the remarks in a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Safadi, after the 12th EU-Jordan Association Council’s meeting at the Council of the European Union.

She said the EU appreciates His Majesty King Abdullah II’s efforts in enhancing relations and contacts between Jordan and the bloc.

Mogherini added: “We heard indeed words of wisdom, moderation and unity first of all from his Majesty King Abdullah when he addressed the European parliament in Strasbourg.”

“I would say the Jordanian way to prevention of radicalization of counterterrorism is a way that we fully support and we have a lot to learn from and we hope that this wisdom and moderation can be a role model for others”, Mogherini said.

Safadi expressed appreciation for the EU for agreeing to provide Jordan with a 200-million-euros soft loan to support the Kingdom’s budget due to pressure from the situation in the region and the Syrian refugee crisis.

He said talks dealt with the Arab-Israeli conflict and efforts to re-launch the peace process to resolve the Palestinian issue, which is the core of the conflict in the region on the basis of the two-state solution, pointing out that Jordan counts on the EU to create an environment conducive for launching effective negotiations.

The minister added that he briefed the EU official on the situation in southern Syria and said the cease fire the Syrian south was a first step towards finding a comprehensive cease-fire on all Syrian territory.

He explained that the agreement on south Syrian is part of the efforts to stop the war and destruction and called for finding a political solution that preserves Syria’s unity and territorial integrity.

Answering a question on the Gulf crisis, Al-Safadi expressed hope that the crisis would be resolved within the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and on the basis of ensuring the cooperation of all in building a better future for the peoples of the region.

He voiced Jordan’s support to the mediation efforts led by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait.

The minister added that Jordan has always been and will continue to be a voice of reason, a voice of moderation to build a culture of openness, respect for the other and fighting terrorism and creating an environment of peace in which all our people can prosper and move forward towards a better future.

In turn, Mogherini said talks dealt with a number of common issues and bilateral relations between the bloc and Jordan.

She hailed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two sides have reached, on the 380 million euros micro-finance project funded by the EU. She said the MoU aims to support Jordan under difficult regional circumstances.

The EU official pointed out that talks touched on a number of Middle East issues including the Syrian crisis and re-launching of peace negotiations on the basis of the two-state solution.

Source: Fana News