Senate president, French senate discuss bilateral relations

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Monday met with President of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Committee in the French Senate Cedric Perrin over bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region.

Fayez emphasised the ongoing communication between His Majesty King Abdullah and French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting their mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral relations across various sectors and working towards regional security, stability, and a just peace, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Fayez affirmed Jordan’s strength at the political and security levels despite the regional conflicts and repercussions, underscoring the comprehensive reform process underway in Jordan, which reflects the King’s vision and aspirations in political, economic, and administrative domains.

Fayez drew attention to the economic challenges Jordan faces due to the current regional situation, including bearing about 80 per cent of the costs of hosting approximately 1.3 million Syrian refugees. 

He also underscored the importance of increasing French investments in Jordan, particularly in sectors such as technology, tourism, renewable energy, public transportation, and water, expressing gratitude for France’s support to Jordan.

Fayez also reiterated that regional security and stability can only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, establishing a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and enabling the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Fayez asserted that Jordan, under the King's leadership, rejects any solutions to the Palestinian issue that would compromise its interests, emphasising Jordan’s strong opposition to any attempts to infringe upon its national constants or sovereignty. 

He called on French parliamentarians, the European Parliament, and various other parliaments to play an active role in halting the Israeli war on the Palestinian people and ending the atrocities committed against them.

Perrin, on his part, hailed the “deep-rooted” friendship between France and Jordan and stressed the importance of enhancing it across various political, economic, and investment fields. 

He also hailed the king’s efforts to resolve the region’s conflicts and political and security challenges, and to achieve comprehensive peace between Palestinians and Israelis based on the two-state solution, considering it the only solution that ensures regional security and stability.