Hosting int’l parliament forum a sign of Jordan’s distinguished stature — Tarawneh

AMMAN — The 2016 Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP), which is scheduled to open in Amman on Wednesday, is an important international event to be hosted for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said Tuesday.

Tarawneh told reporters the Chamber has ambitions to make of Amman a capital of women’s political work in the world, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Organising this two-day world summit in Jordan highlights the Kingdom’s international status and the important role of its diplomacy, which contributed to holding the forum with the participation of hundreds of political and parliamentary women leaders from 89 countries, added the speaker.

The House received participation applications from 486 international figures, 260 of whom confirmed their attendance, Tarawneh said, noting that participants comprise heads of states, former European and African prime ministers, and ministers.

He also said that the Lower House refused the participation of an Israeli delegation in WIP 2016, adding that the Chamber called on organisers not to have any Israeli representation in the event, according to Petra.

Also on Tuesday, Tarawneh met with Suad Al Lawatiya, the deputy chairperson of the Omani State Council and member of her country’s delegation to WIP, and voiced his aspiration for WIP to reach positive results that serve women.

The speaker affirmed the deep-rooted relations between Jordan and Oman, noting that both countries share many aspects.

Lawatiya commended Jordanian-Omani bilateral ties, stressing that these relations are “historical and deep-rooted” and directed to serve the interests of both countries and peoples.

Senate President Faisal Fayez also met with the Omani lawmaker and discussed means to enhance Jordanian-Omani parliamentary cooperation.

Also on Tuesday, Fayez met with Amal Al Qubaisi, the president of the UAE Federal National Council, and discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

He also urged Gulf citizens to increase their investments in Jordan.

The meeting covered the conditions in the region, especially developments in regards to the Palestinian cause and the Syrian crisis.

Tarawneh also met with Qubaisi and discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.