Sánchez reiterates in Amman that the ceasefire demanded by the UN Security Council and the release of all hostages must be implemented

Amman (Jordan)

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, today began his tour of the Middle East in Jordan, holding a meeting with H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Al Husseiniya Palace, with whom he was able to discuss the situation in Gaza.

This meeting takes place during the first visit by a president to Jordan in fifteen years and follows the two visits that King Abdullah II made to Spain last year, during one of which he and the President of Spain signed a joint declaration in which they expressed their commitment to work towards establishing a strategic partnership.

The President of the Government thanked His Majesty the King of Jordan for his welcome, highlighting the value of the meeting held to promote the excellent bilateral relationship between Spain and Jordan, motivated by a close relationship of friendship and good economic ties.

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and H.M. the King of Jordan, Abdullah II | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The situation in Gaza was the main issue discussed during the meeting. Both leaders agreed on the urgent need to end the crisis in Gaza and focused on the dramatic situation on the ground and the urgency of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza. In this regard, the president stressed that Spain supports the creation of maritime corridors, but that the priority is to ensure access for humanitarian aid by land.

Sánchez stressed King Abdullah II's leadership in defending the civilian population in Gaza, conveying to him that Spain is doing everything possible to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. In this regard, the President of the Government highlighted Spain's participation in the Jordanian mission to launch humanitarian aid over Gaza, with the Spanish Air Force contributing two aircraft with a 24-tonne load of humanitarian aid in an operation that was successfully concluded. He also highlighted Spain's donation to Jordan of 110 parachutes for use in air missions, a gesture that has been acknowledged by the Jordanian authorities.

The president highlighted the important steps taken by the European Council in this regard, which include a call for a humanitarian pause leading to a permanent ceasefire, recognition of the role of UNRWA and condemnation of the violence in the West Bank, aspects that Spain had demanded on several occasions.

The president and H.M. the King of Jordan focused on the search for solutions, exchanging views with the aim of finding a political answer that includes the materialisation of the two-state solution, as well as the need to avoid escalation and ensure stability in the region. They also shared concerns about rising tensions in the West Bank. The President of the Government pointed out to His Majesty the King of Jordan the opportunity they have to continue enriching cooperation between the two countries in multilateral forums, such as the International Conference on Financing for Development, which Spain will host next year.

Visit to UNRWA Jabal Al Hussein refugee camp

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his visit to the UNRWA Palestinian refugee camp | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Pedro Sánchez visited the Jabal Al Hussein refugee camp of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA), where he was received by the Deputy Commissioner General of UNRWA, Natalie Boucly, and the director of the Office in Jordan, Olaf Becker.

The camp, established in 1952, today hosts more than 30,000 Palestinian refugees. In this regard, Sánchez stressed that "just the fact that more than seven decades have passed since its creation illustrates the terrible nature of this conflict".

The President of the Government once again expressed his recognition of the work carried out by the UN and, specifically, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East, a good example of which is the 'Jabal Al Hussein' camp.

He also reiterated Spain's support for UNRWA's work and stressed the importance of the international community maintaining adequate funding for the agency. In this respect, Pedro Sánchez defended that "Spain is willing to lead by example", highlighting the value of the contribution of €23.5 million that Spain has already announced.

In this context, Pedro Sánchez has insisted on the urgent need for Israel to allow access to humanitarian aid in Gaza, as demanded by various international bodies, including the International Court of Justice. "150 kilometres from where we are, a tremendous catastrophe is unfolding. The international community cannot remain impassive," he stressed.

In his statement to the media, the President of the Government expressed his sorrow at the death of several aid workers from the humanitarian aid organisation World Central Kitchen, run by chef José Andrés.

He also emphasised that the work of the UN system is key and irreplaceable, stressing the urgency of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza by land.

During his visit to the camp, Pedro Sánchez visited two classrooms at the UNRWA Al Hussein School for Girls, the computer lab and the English class, where he learned first-hand about the work carried out by UNRWA in the camp. He also held a brief meeting with a representation of the UNRWA student parliament, made up of four boys and four girls aged between 12 and 15 years, at which they explained the functioning and purpose of the initiative. The UNRWA Student Parliament is an activity organised by the different UNRWA schools in Jordan where young people meet regularly to discuss current issues.

Visit the Amman Citadel

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, visits the restoration works of the Umayyad Palace of the Amman Citadel | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

During the day in Jordan, the President of the Government visited the Amman Citadel, where he highlighted the positive impact of Spanish cooperation in its recovery.

The Amman Citadel is one of the most important archaeological sites in Jordan and was partly reconstructed with the help of Spanish cooperation, which since the mid-1990s and for more than two decades has taken part in excavation, research and restoration projects with the Spanish Archaeological Mission.

Non official translation