New Ambassador of Jordan reaffirms country’s position on Cyprus issue

The new Ambassador of Jordan to Cyprus has reaffirmed his country's position of principles on the Cyprus issue and the efforts to reach a solution based on the relevant UN resolutions, noting that the appointment of the UNSG's envoy for Cyprus is a positive development.

According to a press release by the House of Representatives, House President Annita Demetriou received the new Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Cyprus, Basheer F. Zoubi, on 10 January on the occasion of the assumption of his duties.

During the meeting, they underlined the excellent relations between the two countries that are constantly developing as well as the prospects for further strengthening the already close cooperation in areas of common interest, with special reference to the parliamentary level. Demetriou noted the valuable assistance of the Royal Air Force of Jordan in extinguishing the wild fires that broke out in Cyprus last summer.

The House President expressed her sincere appreciation for the firm position of principles that Jordan maintains regarding the Cyprus problem. Referring to the current developments in view of the arrival of the UN Secretary General's envoy in Cyprus, she stressed the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the goal of resuming negotiations from the point they were interrupted in Crans Montana, in 2017, within the framework of the United Nations, for reaching a solution, based on the relevant UNSC resolutions.

She expressed concern about the intensifying provocations of the Turkish occupying forces within the buffer zone, in an attempt to create new faits accomplis.

The Turkish side's claim for a "two-state" solution will never be accepted, she stressed, adding that this would mean legitimizing the Turkish invasion and occupation.

The Ambassador of Jordan reaffirmed his country's principled position regarding the Cyprus problem and the efforts to reach a solution in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, and noted that the appointment and imminent arrival of the UN Secretary General's envoy in Cyprus is a positive development.

The Ambassador expressed his country's gratitude for Cyprus' support as an EU member state to Jordan. He also assured that his country will always be willing to assist Cyprus in extinguishing fires, whenever it is requested, based on the relevant Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the two states last summer.

According to the press release, they also exchanged views on current issues, focusing on situation in the Middle East and the refugee-immigrant issue, which is of great concern to the two states.

Concluding, the press release says that they discussed about the next steps in the framework of inter-parliamentary cooperation between Cyprus and Jordan.

(Source: CNA)