Amman – Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Thursday that his country is unable to accept any more Syrian refugees, even as the crisis in Syria continues to worsen.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Safadi urged the international community to take responsibility for providing refugees the right to dignified living.
Jordan currently hosts over 650,000 registered Syrian refugees and has shouldered a large burden from the eight-year conflict in neighboring Syria. However, Safadi stressed that Jordan’s resources are overwhelmed and it can no longer accommodate additional refugees.
He highlighted security threats like terrorism and drug smuggling that have emerged due to the Syrian crisis. Safadi said Jordan will continue protecting its borders from illegal crossings of narcotics.
Martin and Safadi discussed efforts for a political solution in Syria based on UN Resolution 2254 that fulfills Syrian people’s rights while maintaining sovereignty. They also signed a memorandum strengthening political consultation and cooperation between Ireland and Jordan on regional issues.
Safadi praised Ireland’s work for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal based on a two-state solution as per international law. Martin emphasized the growing strategic partnership between the two nations on peace processes and other mutual priorities in the region.
During his visit, Martin also met King Abdullah and toured UN refugee operations to learn more about the difficulties facing Syrian refugees in Jordan.
