Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Monday stressed the importance of coordinated international efforts to support the Palestinian economy, which is facing increasing pressure due to what he described as an Israeli-imposed economic blockade through illegal measures, including the confiscation of Palestinian Authority funds derived from customs revenues and other sources, exceeding $4 billion.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in Brussels—chaired by Espen Barth Eide and hosted by the European Union—Safadi emphasized that investing in the Palestinian economy is an investment in peace, which must be achieved by fulfilling the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and statehood.
During the meeting, attended by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Safadi warned that the benefits of economic support would diminish unless accompanied by genuine political efforts to achieve a just peace based on the two-state solution.
He also stressed the need to halt what he described as illegal Israeli measures undermining the two-state solution, including settlement expansion, land annexation, restrictions on freedom of worship, and violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Safadi stated: “We meet here as partners to achieve a just peace that fulfills the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and statehood, based on the two-state solution, so that a Palestinian state can live in peace and security alongside Israel.”
He highlighted the significance of the meeting, which brought together representatives from 28 countries and international organizations, and followed an experts-level meeting of the International Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution held earlier in Brussels. He reiterated the need for economic support to be paired with concrete steps toward implementing the two-state solution as the only path to a just peace.
Safadi also underscored the importance of ensuring sufficient and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, and called for the full implementation of the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the enclave, as well as UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
Strong Jordan–EU Relations and Continued Cooperation
On the sidelines, Safadi held separate talks with Kallas and European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, focusing on enhancing cooperation between Jordan and the European Union and discussing regional developments.
The discussions also addressed updates regarding the Jordan–EU Investment Conference, scheduled to be held in Jordan before the end of the year, as well as preparations for the upcoming Arab–EU ministerial meeting to be hosted by the Kingdom in June.
Safadi further discussed with EU officials economic cooperation programs and support provided to Jordan by the European Commission under the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, including accelerating the implementation of the Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) program and support aimed at strengthening defense and security sectors through the European Peace Facility (EPF).
He praised the European Union’s support for Jordan’s development process and its assistance in addressing the impact of regional crises.
During his visit to Brussels, Safadi also met with World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde to review cooperation programs and reaffirm the importance of the partnership between Jordan and the World Bank.
