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Minister Flanagan joins the Taoiseach to meet the King of Jordan and the Jordanian Foreign Minister

The Syrian Conflict and the Middle East Peace Process will be discussed

The King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, HM Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, will pay a working visit to Ireland on Friday (5 February). The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, will join the Taoiseach for a meeting with King Abdullah at Government Buildings. The King will be accompanied by the Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Jordan’s Ambassador to Ireland, HE Mr Mazen Kemal Homoud.

Speaking ahead of the visit Minister Flanagan said:

“This visit provides an opportunity to strengthen the excellent relationship between Ireland and Jordan and to underline Ireland and Jordan’s shared commitment to peace, stability and tolerance in the Middle East region.”

Minister Flanagan will take the opportunity to underline Ireland’s strong support for the efforts by Jordan to promote a political resolution to the Syrian conflict.

In that context, Minister Flanagan said:

“Jordan is playing a crucial role in the efforts to pursue a ceasefire in Syria. This is vital to addressing the migration crisis and to combating the threat of radicalisation and terrorism, which is a threat to the people and countries of the Middle East first and foremost.

“I look forward to exploring areas where Ireland and Jordan can cooperate more closely in addressing the global migration crisis.”

Referring to the Middle East Peace Process, Minister Flanagan stated:

“Ireland is also deeply grateful for Jordan’s positive role in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including Jordan’s efforts to promote a viable solution which respects the traditional prerogatives of the faith communities at the Holy Sites in occupied East Jerusalem."

King Abdullah’s visit follows his participation at the London conference on “Supporting Syria and the Region”, which took place yesterday (Thursday 4 February). Ireland committed to providing €20M in humanitarian support for those affected by the Syrian crisis, increasing Ireland’s total support to the Syrian people since 2012 to €62M by the end of 2016. Ireland was represented at the conference by Minister of State Seán Sherlock.


ENDS
Press Office
4 February 2016

Notes for editors:
President Michael D Higgins will host a lunch in honour of King Abdullah at Áras an Uachtaráin following this meeting.