Amman, Feb 5: Jordan and Greece stressed the need to maintain the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, expressing hope that it would lead to a permanent end to hostilities in the region.

It comes as Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met here with his visiting Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis. During their talks on Tuesday, the two sides discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic, investment, tourism, and cultural sectors, according to a statement by Jordan’s Foreign Ministry.

The discussions also touched on the developments in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as ongoing efforts to address them, said the statement.

The two sides emphasised the importance of securing a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring immediate and sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to the entire territory.

Safadi briefed Gerapetritis on the outcomes of an Arab meeting held Saturday in Cairo, which underscored the collective Arab commitment to securing a ceasefire, delivering aid, and advancing a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.

He stressed that Arab nations are prepared to collaborate with international partners, including the United States and the European Union (EU), practically and constructively, to achieve a just peace in the region.

For his part, Gerapetritis said Jordan and Greece enjoy excellent relations, calling for strengthening this relationship and enhancing cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and tourism.

He praised Jordan’s role in safeguarding the holy sites of both Muslims and Christians in Palestine, and in maintaining stability in the whole region.

The top Greek diplomat called for prioritising the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reopening the Rafah crossing, supporting the UN Palestinian relief agency, and ensuring the flow of aid into Gaza through Jordan’s air bridge.

Gerapetritis is visiting Jordan as part of a regional tour that also includes Qatar, Palestine, and Israel.

Jerusalem, Feb 4: Israel is preparing to send a delegation to Qatar for talks on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Israel is preparing for the working-echelon delegation to leave for Doha at the end of this week in order to discuss technical details related to the continued implementation of the agreement,” the statement said.

Next week, the Security Cabinet is expected to convene to discuss Israel’s overall position regarding the second stage of the deal, which according to the office, “will guide the continuation of the negotiations.”

The announcement followed Netanyahu’s meetings in Washington with US National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz and President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu is set to meet Trump later Tuesday.

Netanyahu’s office said discussions would focus on the fragile truce and efforts to end the war in Gaza. The prime minister also hinted at discussions on efforts to advance a possible normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The Gaza deal includes a 42-day initial phase of truce, during which a total of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails are to be released. Talks on implementing the second phase were due to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire, which fell on Monday.

However, Netanyahu said on Saturday that he would send a negotiation team to Doha only after he meets with Witkoff and Waltz in Washington.

The ceasefire took effect on January 19, putting a pause on 15 months of Israeli military operations in Gaza that left the Palestinian enclave devastated and killed around 62,000 people, including more than 17,000 children, according to the health authorities in Gaza.

New Delhi, Feb 4: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Philemon Yang is set to embark on an official visit to India from February 4 to February 8 at the invitation of the Government of India.

His visit aims to enhance bilateral relations and deepen multilateral cooperation on global issues such as international peace, security, and the ‘Pact for the Future’.

Yang is scheduled to visit New Delhi and Bengaluru, with the latter often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India.

During his stay, Yang will engage in high-level discussions, including a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu and meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

His schedule also includes interactions with the UN Country Team in India, led by UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp.

In addition to diplomatic engagements, President Yang will visit a public health facility in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

In Bengaluru, he is expected to tour key institutions, including the Infosys campus and the Indian Institute of Science, along with other important sites in both cities.

Before his India visit, President Yang concluded an official tour of Japan from January 31 to February 4.

In Tokyo, he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka.

He also paid tribute to the victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing by laying a wreath at the cenotaph.

Born in the Republic of Cameroon, Philemon Yang previously served as the country’s Prime Minister.

In June 2024, he was elected as the President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. His tenure, which began in September 2024, will continue until September 2025.

His visit to India is expected to further strengthen India’s collaboration with the UN and reinforce global efforts on pressing international issues.