Minister McEntee welcomes Minister Safadi of Jordan to Ireland

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, today (20 May) welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, to Dublin. 

The meeting highlighted the strong and growing partnership between Ireland and Jordan, with particular emphasis on expanding economic cooperation, trade and diplomatic engagement. The Ministers also discussed Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union and opportunities for deeper collaboration in the years ahead. 

Speaking on Ireland’s relationship with Jordan, Minister McEntee stated: “Ireland deeply values the constructive role that Jordan plays in promoting stability and dialogue during an exceptionally challenging period. Jordan continues to provide leadership on humanitarian coordination, regional diplomacy and support for refugees displaced by conflict.

“Strengthening business and trade links remains a key priority for Ireland. The launch of the Irish Network in Amman earlier this year is already helping to create new opportunities and deepen commercial connections between our two countries. From Jordanian delegations attending the Dublin Tech Summit each year, to the success of the Jordan Young Scientist initiative in stimulating interest in STEM across second level schools in Jordan, there is ongoing collaboration in the tech and innovation sectors between Ireland and Jordan.”

The Ministers also exchanged views on developments across the Middle East, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the worsening situation in the West Bank, the situation in Lebanon and the important role peacekeepers play in Southern Lebanon, as well as efforts to enhance defence capabilities.

Minister McEntee said: “I am acutely aware that the situation in the West Bank is of particular concern to Jordan. Israeli actions including increasing settlement approvals and rampant settler violence consistently contravene international law and form part of an established pattern to create a new status quo in Palestine.

“Both Ireland and Jordan are strong and consistent supporters of the implementation of the two-State-solution. It is vital to ensure that its viability is preserved and unilateral Israeli actions which seek to render a future contiguous Palestinian State unviable must be reversed. There must be no de facto annexation of the West Bank.”

Today’s meeting built on Minister McEntee’s successful visit to Jordan in January this year, which included a bilateral meeting with FM Safadi and an audience with King Abdullah and the Crown Prince of Jordan. 

ENDS

Press Office

20 May 2026