Brasília – After spending the last few days in Israel and Palestine, the Brazilian minister of Foreign Relations Antonio Patriota is in Jordan this Tuesday (16th). Patriota has met with the king Abdullah II and the minister of Foreign Relations Nasser Judeh. Both gave thanks for Brazil’s support in negotiations for peace in the Middle East.
Abdullah recalled a conversation of his which he deemed positive with president Dilma Rousseff, in Lima, Peru, during the 3rd Summit of Heads of State and Government from South American – Arab Countries (Aspa). On the occasion, Dilma stressed the need for peace-seeking efforts to be free from military intervention and external interference.
Patriota’s visit comes at a time in which Jordan is experiencing a series of political and economic changes. Abdullah II has dissolved the Parliament and announced that legislative elections will be held at an earlier date which is yet to be set. The measure led to protests and reactions led by the Muslim Brotherhood, the main opposition to the king in the country.
However, Abdullah II said the majority of the population backs his decisions. The king gave thanks for the Brazilian government’s support to an agreement for peace in the Middle East. The Jordanian foreign minister said Brazil can play a relevant role in negotiations to end conflicts in the region.
Jordan is one of the main refuges for Syrians fleeing the crisis which has plagued their country for 19 months now, leaving over 33,000 dead. According to estimates, there are more than 300,000 Syrian refugees.
The crisis in Syria has become an international topic mentioned at every discussion involving political leaders. During the United Nations Assembly General, in New York, president Dilma Rousseff spoke for the end of violence in the region and for peace-seeking efforts free from foreign military interference.
Bilateral cooperation
According to information from Jordan’s government-owned Petra News Agency, at a joint press conference with Patriota and Judeh, the Arab foreign minister mentioned the “historical ties” that bind Jordan and Brazil, and said the two countries are side by side in political issues and the challenges facing the region, including the Palestinian issue.
Judeh also said there are major areas for cooperation between the two countries, including energy, healthcare and aviation. According to him, Brazil is interested in benefiting from the safety and stability of Jordan as a means to invest not only in the country, but also in the region.
According to the agency, Patriota claimed Jordan is a key destination in his tour of the Middle East thanks to its central role in the region, and said his talks with local authorities were deep and paved the way for stronger political, economic and cultural ties between Brazil and Jordan.
*With information from the Petra News Agency. Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
