Jordan urges EU to recognize East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine

AMMAN - Jordan on Wednesday urged the EU to recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, which is a prerequisite for attaining peace and stability in the Middle East region, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

The remarks were made by Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at a meeting with ambassadors of EU countries in Amman, where he called for an immediate action to support forming an international committee to investigate the massacre committed by the Israeli forces by killing civilians in Gaza Strip.

The minister said continued crimes by Israel without any international response will lead to a new cycle of violence that will affect the region, Europe and the entire world, stressing that the stability of the Middle East is essential for international stability.

The Israeli practices and the lack of a solution to the conflict worsen the situation and increase despair, which results in more violence and extremism, said the minister.

Safadi called on the international community to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities to protect the Palestinians from the illegal Israeli measures and aggressions against the Palestinians.

The minister warned against the serious consequences of the Israeli unilateral measures that seek to impose a new reality on the ground, undermine peace efforts and alter the Arabic identity of Jerusalem.

On Jerusalem, Safadi said that Jerusalem is the key to peace and realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinians is a must for regional peace and stability.

Safadi added that Jordan will exert all its efforts to preserve the holy sites in Jerusalem.

The minister also condemned the US move to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and recognize the holy city as the capital of Israel.

He added that Jordan will work along with the Arab countries, the EU and all international partners to achieve peace that is based on the two-state solution in line with the Arab peace initiative and the international legitimacy resolutions.