House Foreign Affairs Committee, Turkey ambassador talk ties, region

AMMAN — Jordan and Turkey see eye-to-eye on major regional and international crises, as the two countries' leaderships have held "honourable" positions in facing Israeli atrocities and violations against Jerusalem and its holy sites, Head of the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee Khaldoun Heina, said on Monday. 

During a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Jordan Erdem Ozan, Heina stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, stressing the need for Israel to cease its attacks on Palestinians, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Jordan has faced considerable pressure on its resources and infrastructure as a result of receiving many refugees, most recently Syrians, the MP added, noting that Syria's return as a member of the Arab League is a “positive indicator”. 

Heina also called for boosting tourism, trade, economic and parliamentary relations between Amman and Ankara.

For his part, Ozan said that Jordan-Turkey relations are undergoing "significant" development in various fields, particularly trade and tourism.

Turkey and Jordan’s positions regarding the Palestinian cause are similar, Ozan stressed, noting that these positions include a shared belief in achieving a just and comprehensive peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines.

The ambassador referred to the importance of reactivating Syria's membership in the Arab League, and expressed appreciation for the Kingdom's initiative to restore Syria’s membership.

Ozan also commended Jordan’s efforts, under His Majesty King Abdullah, to send assistance to Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquakes that recently struck the country.