Egypt, Jordan FMs discuss response to Israel's unilateral measures on West Bank annexation
The Jordanian minister also affirmed his support to Egypt to reach an accord that preserves its water rights and end the dispute over GERD through a solution based on negotiations, the Egyptian foreign ministry said
The foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan discussed means to respond to the planned unilateral measures by Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi tackled ways to "protect peace efforts from the ramifications" of the Israeli plan in a phone conversation on Wednesday.
Israel announced in May that it will launch a cabinet debate on annexing parts of the occupied West Bank under a US-plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace as of 1 July, but no discussions were scheduled for Wednesday in the absence of an agreement with Washington on the modalities of the move.
Shoukry and Safadi reaffirmed continued coordination with all parties and partners to create "a real opportunity to reach fair and comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative and in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions."
The two ministers also discussed the latest developments on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, which has been a source of years-long dispute that landed in the UN Security Council earlier this week based on Egypt's request.
The Jordanian minister affirmed his support to Egypt to reach an accord that preserves its water rights and end the dispute over the dam through a solution based on negotiations, the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
It quoted the Jordonian minister as saying that "no unilateral action, including the filling of the dam, should be taken before an agreement is reached."
The phone call came hours after Israeli officials said a plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, which has drawn global condemnation, was delayed on Wednesday.
Israeli cabinet minister Ofir Akunis said the annexation process would not begin on Wednesday, adding that officials were still working on the final details with their US counterparts.
Akunis said he expected the annexation to take place later in July, according to AP.
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