Turkish MP says cooperation with Jordan key to regional stability

AMMAN — Terrorism fuelled by extremists in the name of Islam threatens everyone, and facing it requires regional efforts, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said Monday.

Tarawneh made these remarks while meeting with his Turkish counterpart Cemil Cicek, where he said that Jordan is working with Arab and international communities to acquaint the world with regional issues.

He said that these issues represent a global challenge and threaten future generations due to the lack of comprehensive security and stability.

Tarawneh said the whole region should face the threat of terrorism, not only affected countries.

He added that Jordan still calls for political solutions to regional crises that guarantee an end to bloodshed and maintain the unity of crisis-hit countries.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Tarawneh said the delay in finding a just solution is the main source that feeds extremist ideology.

Israel’s unilateral attacks on holy sites in occupied Jerusalem is clear evidence that the international community has different standards to look at extremism, the speaker said, noting that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is key to resolving regional issues.

For his part, Cicek said the Middle East is going through difficult circumstances, and developing Jordanian-Turkish relations will enhance stability in the region.

He added that Turkey is ready to cooperate with all parties in the region, and other sides, to combat terrorism.

Cicek noted that Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon are the countries most affected by the consequences of terrorism because they receive hundreds of thousands of refugees and are forced to deal with the economic impact of these waves.

He also said that Turkey respects the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, expressing his country’s readiness to support Jordan in this role.