Joint Communiqué of Aqaba – US Embassy in Egypt
The following text reproduces the Joint Communiqué following today’s meeting in Aqaba, Jordan:
Jordanian, Egyptian, Israeli, Palestinian and US senior officials met today, February 26, 2023, at the invitation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Aqaba, Jordan.
After extensive and open discussions, the participants announced the following:
1. Both sides (Palestinian and Israeli) reaffirmed their commitment to all previous agreements between them and to a just and lasting peace. They reiterated the need to work on the ground to de-escalate and prevent further violence.
2. The five parties recognize the importance of maintaining the historical status quo in word and practice at the holy sites in Jerusalem and emphasize the Hashemite Guardianship / special role of Jordan in this regard.
3. The Government of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority reaffirmed their joint readiness and commitment to work immediately to end unilateral measures for a period of 3 to 6 months. This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussing new settlement units for 4 months and approving outposts for 6 months.
4. The five parties agreed to meet again in Sharm El Sheikh in March to achieve the objectives listed above.
5. The participants also agreed to continue confidence-building measures and strengthen mutual trust in order to address open issues in direct dialogue. The two parties will work together in good faith to take responsibility and build mutual trust through this Agreement.
6. Jordan, Egypt and the United States regard these arrangements as a significant step forward in restoring and deepening relations between the two sides and commit to supporting and facilitating their implementation as appropriate.
7. Participants underscored the importance of the Aqaba meeting, the first of its kind in years. They agreed to continue to meet under this formula, to maintain the positive momentum and to extend this agreement to a broader political process leading to a just and lasting peace.
8. The participants thanked Jordan for organizing and hosting this meeting and for its efforts to achieve positive results. They also thanked Egypt for its support and important role and active participation.
They also thanked the United States for its important role in efforts to reach agreements that led to this agreement today, and stressed its indispensable role in efforts to prevent deterioration and find horizons for peace.
