Korea-Jordan Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Conversation (Apr. 22)

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul had a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Hussein Al Safadi on April 22 at the latter's request and exchanged views on Middle East affairs, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and Korea-Jordan cooperation.

2. Foreign Minister Safadi expressed deep concern on the rising instability in the Middle East due to the recent Iran-Israel conflict and the prolonged situation in Gaza. In this regard, he expressed his hope to cooperate closely with Korea, a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, he expressed his appreciation to the Korean government for its vote in the Security Council in favor of Palestine's full membership in the UN and emphasized that the international society should work together to realize the two-state solution.

3. Foreign Minister Cho stressed that all parties need to exercise maximum restraint in order to prevent a further escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and appreciated Jordan's efforts for peace in the region. He explained that the Korean government has consistently supported the two-state solution, and voted in favor of the resolution recommending Palestine's full UN membership, in the hope that it would contribute to fostering an environment for permanent peace in the Middle East.

4. Foreign Minister Safadi expressed his support for Korea's position on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. Foreign Minister Cho responded by stressing that it is important for the international community to take strong actions in solidarity in response to North Korea's continued provocations. He went on to suggest that Korea and Jordan work together in that regard.

5. The two Ministers appreciated that the two countries are working closely in the fields of economy, energy and development. The two sides voiced hope that stability and peace will be restored in the Middle East at an early date, facilitating an increase in substantive cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

6. The telephone conversation between the Korean and Jordanian Foreign Ministers served as an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on the currently deteriorating situation in the Middle East and to reaffirm the two countries' commitment to cooperation toward stability in the region.