Senate president, Lower House speaker discuss with vice president of German Bundestag cooperation, regional developments

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez and Vice President of the German Bundestag Aydan Özoğuz on Sunday discussed ways to enhance Jordanian-German relations across various fields, mainly at the economic and parliamentary levels.

Fayez commended Germany’s support for Jordan, particularly in addressing economic challenges posed by the ongoing regional situation and the country’s hosting of approximately 1.3 million Syrian refugees, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Fayez emphasised the importance of restoring security and stability in the region. He also called for international action, urging Germany and the European Union to stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

The Senate president also stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for the war crimes committed against Gaza residents, calling for the implementation of recent decisions by the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Security Council to stop Israeli aggression and allow humanitarian and medical aid into the besieged Strip.

He also reiterated that the Kingdom opposes Israel’s expansionist and hostile policies, considering attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians as a “declaration of war”.

Fayez also noted that His Majesty King Abdullah has consistently warned against Israel’s aggressive practices and that Israel’s continued policy of forced displacement, systematic killing, starvation of the Gaza Strip’s Palestinians, besieging Palestinian cities, and using internationally banned weapons violate all international laws and human rights principles. 

He also called on Germany and the international community to support the significant efforts made by the King to stop the Israeli aggression and establish a just peace in the region. 

Fayez added that King Abdullah has underscored the necessity for the international community to make diligent efforts to deliver adequate and sustainable aid to Gaza, and to work towards a political ground to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, enabling the Palestinian people to receive their legitimate rights.

He added that the Palestinian people’s struggle to reclaim their occupied land is a natural and legitimate reaction to Israel’s state terrorism and systematic crimes, which defy all international resolutions and humanitarian norms.

Özoğuz said that Jordanian-German relations are of particular importance at this time, noting that “the people in Gaza and the Middle East are suffering greatly due to the prevailing conditions, and we see this suffering”.

Özo uz noted that she acknowledges the suffering in Gaza and the Middle East due to prevailing conditions, adding that her visit is aimed to understand Jordan’s perspective on regional issues, foster mutual trust, and explore viable solutions to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on a two-state framework.

Also on Sunday, Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi met with Özoğuz to explore ways of enhancing bilateral ties, especially parliamentary relations, with both sides reiterating that Jordan and Germany see eye to eye on the two-state solution.

Safadi underlined the strong relations between Jordan and Germany and stressed the importance of further enhancing cooperation in various fields for the benefit of both countries and their peoples.

Safadi expressed his gratitude for Germany’s support to Jordan, especially in addressing the Syrian refugee crisis, underlining the burdens and efforts the Kingdom is facing due to the ongoing crises in the region, notably the influx of refugees.

Reiterating the centrality of the Palestinian cause, Safadi stressed that a just solution and meeting the Palestinians’ right to statehood is crucial for regional stability.

Özoğuz also expressed Germany’s keenness to work with Jordan to find practical solutions in the region and reiterated that the goal should be a two-state solution.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee MP Khaldoun Heina stressed the need for adequate support for Jordan, which has made significant efforts in providing aid and hosting refugees of various nationalities. 

He also urged the international community to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees to ensure its sustainability and ability to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees.