Amman, Sept. 28 (Petra) – Lower House Speaker Mazen Qadi and a British delegation headed by MP Andrew Bowie discussed on Monday prospects of expanding Jordanian-British parliamentary cooperation, political reform in Jordan, and regional developments, including the Palestinian issue and the situation in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting with the delegation of the Conservative Middle East Council (CMEC) also addressed the exchange of parliamentary and legislative expertise as well as other issues of common interest.
Qadi outlined Jordan’s political modernization process, including broadening political participation and increasing the involvement of women and young people, noting that the current Lower House includes 27 women.
He also highlighted Jordan’s stance on the Palestinian issue, citing His Majesty King Abdullah II’s address to the United Nations General Assembly and support for a two-state solution aned Palestinian statehood, an calling for an end to Palestinian suffering, and rejection of displacement.
Qadi reaffirmed the Hashemite Custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, stressing the importance of maintaining the city’s historical and legal status quo.
First Deputy Speaker Khamis Atiyeh said a sustainable peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict, ending the occupation, and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their rights, top of which is the establishment of an independent state. He also stressed respect for international law and relevant international resolutions.
Assistant Speaker Maysoun Qawabiah highlighted women’s and youth's participation as part of Jordan’s political modernization process, and called for greater exchange of expertise with the United Kingdom in legislative and oversight work.
Jordanian-British Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman, MP Omar Khaldi, said reciprocal parliamentary visits and exchanges of legislative and party expertise would help promote stronger bilateral relations.
Bowie said Jordan is a key partner of the United Kingdom in the region, stressing the role of parliamentary diplomacy and maintaining dialogue.
He said positions supporting the two-state solution, halting the deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, and protecting international law require continued coordination and dialogue among the parties concerned.
Members of the British team also highlighted parliamentary engagement and exchange of expertise, as well as the Hashemite Custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
//Petra// AO
