AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Thursday met with Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Pere Joan Pons, on the sidelines of the Conference of Speakers of International Parliaments in Rome.

 

The meeting, attended by Jordan’s Ambassador to Italy Qais Abu Dayyeh, covered Jordan’s relations with European Union member states, regional developments and the need for international cooperation to resolve conflicts in line with international legitimacy resolutions, according to a Senate statement.

 

Fayez highlighted His Majesty King Abdullah’s efforts to maintain engagement with European political leaders and parliamentary institutions, saying these efforts aim to strengthen Jordan-EU cooperation in political, economic, parliamentary and security fields, building on longstanding strategic and historical ties.

 

Fayez referred to the King’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which he highlighted the consequences of ongoing global crises and conflicts for international peace, security, economies and human dignity.

 

He said that the King had called for concrete international measures to protect human life, stop violations and ensure respect for international law.

 

Fayez also highlighted the King’s warnings over Israeli policies in the region, including alleged war crimes in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. He said the King had called on the international community to hold the Israeli government accountable, including through targeted economic sanctions against the government, settlement entities and extremists.

 

Fayez warned of the risks posed to Jordan by Israeli policies, including attempts to annex the West Bank, displace Palestinians, undermine the Palestinian cause, turn Jordan into an alternative homeland and challenge the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

 

He reaffirmed Jordan’s rejection of any settlement of the Palestinian issue at the expense of its national principles, sovereignty, security or stability, stressing the need to enable Palestinians to exercise their rights and establish an independent state.

 

Fayez welcomed the EU’s economic, political and security support for Jordan, as well as its reaffirmation of the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He also cited the bloc’s condemnation of Israeli incursions, rejection of settler violence and attempts to change the legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem, and support for the two-state solution.

 

Addressing the war involving Iran, the US and Israel, Fayez reiterated Jordan’s rejection of Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and Arab Gulf states, stressing that Jordan would not allow its territory to become an arena for conflict.

 

Both sides warned of the risks posed by continued Iranian threats to regional countries and stressed the need to end the war, whose repercussions extend beyond the region and threaten international peace and stability.

 

They also discussed the impact of disruptions to energy supplies and trade, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threats by Iran-backed groups to close Bab Al Mandeb.

 

They also called for concrete international action to end regional conflicts, halt Israeli policies against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and curb expansionist policies in the region.

 

Fayez reiterated Jordan’s support for a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution. He said King Abdullah continued to call for political solutions to regional crises and to defend Palestinian rights.

 

Pons praised Jordan’s regional and international role and its efforts to address regional challenges.

 

He stressed the importance of continued European security support for Jordan as it faces the repercussions of regional conflicts, and praised the Kingdom’s role in combating terrorism and drug trafficking and promoting regional security and stability.

 

Fayez also held separate meetings with Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş. The meetings covered bilateral relations, regional developments and ways to strengthen parliamentary ties.