Amman, Sept. 16 (Petra) – Senate President Faisal Fayez and a French parliamentary delegation on Wednesday discussed relations, parliamentary and economic cooperation, and developments in the Middle East.
Fayez met with members of the French National Assembly’s France-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Association, headed by Philippe Lottiaux, in the presence of Senate Jordan-France Friendship Committee Chairman Salameh Hammad and several committee members.
The meeting was also attended by Jordanian-French Parliamentary Friendship Association Chairman Ibrahim Tarawneh, MP Rand Khazouz, and French Chargé d’Affaires Jean-Christophe Augé.
The two sides discussed ways to expand bilateral relations, particularly in parliamentary, investment, political, and economic fields, and emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.
Fayez described Jordanian-French relations as strategic and based on longstanding political trust, citing cooperation in diplomacy, security, defense, trade, investment, water, energy, education, scientific research, and development.
He called for institutionalizing Jordanian-French parliamentary dialogue and expanding cooperation between specialized committees in the two countries’ legislatures, including exchanges of legislative and oversight expertise.
Fayez also expressed appreciation for French assistance to Jordan in addressing economic challenges linked to regional conflicts.
Turning to regional developments, Fayez referred to the ongoing Iranian-American-Israeli war, continued Israeli attacks against Palestinians, Lebanon, and Syria, and Iran’s expansionist ambitions, which he said are no less dangerous than Israel's aggressive and expansionist policies.
He said His Majesty King Abdullah II has called for an end to the Iranian-American-Israeli war and urged the international community to work toward comprehensive and sustainable de-escalation that restores stability and supports peace.
Fayez expressed hope for a final agreement to end the conflict, stressing that Jordan would not allow its territory to become a battlefield for any party. He also condemned the Iranian attacks and those carried out by Iran-aligned groups against Jordan and Gulf states.
He called for continued Jordanian-French cooperation to create a political horizon for ending the Israeli occupation and ensuring implementation of all provisions of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Fayez reiterated Jordan’s rejection of any solution to the Palestinian issue that compromises its national principles, sovereignty, or security, as well as its rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians, which is a violation of international law and a war crime that would fuel further regional conflict.
He also welcomed a joint statement by the foreign ministers of France and several European and Western countries reaffirming the two-state solution as the viable path toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace. He cited their stated intention to impose European restrictions on trade in goods linked to settlements considered illegal under international law and to encourage further international measures targeting activities that support their continuation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Fayez also highlighted France’s support for King Abdullah II’s efforts toward regional peace and stability and for the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Members of the Senate’s Jordan-France Friendship Committee discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, including support for the Baptism Site International Orthodox University (BIO Uni) and the possibility of establishing a French university in Jordan similar to existing American and German university models.
Members of the French parliamentary delegation stressed the importance of continued support for Jordan and discussed expanding cooperation between Jordanian and French cities and municipalities through twinning arrangements.
The meeting concluded with a broader discussion on issues of mutual interest and ways to expand the Jordanian-French partnership.
//Petra// AO
