PM meets with Egyptian delegation over partnership

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Wednesday met with Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives Hanafi Jabali, who is currently visiting the Kingdom as the head of an Egyptian parliamentary delegation.

Khasawneh stressed the "deep-rooted" relations between Jordan and Egypt, referring to the Kingdom’s keenness to boost bilateral relations to the benefit of both countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The prime minister stressed his aspiration to convene the Jordan-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee in Amman soon to further boost cooperation.

Jabali stressed the "close" relations between Amman and Cairo, and the mutual desire to broadly enhance ties in parliamentary matters. The Egyptian speaker also noted that the visit has resulted in “fruitful” meetings between the accompanying delegation and Jordanian officials.

Also on Wednesday, Senate President Faisal Fayez held official talks with Jabali, in which he expressed his pride in the “high level” of “deep-rooted and brotherly" bilateral relations between the two nations, according to Petra.

His Majesty King Abdullah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi are both keen to develop ties to serve joint interests and collaborate on the issues of Arab nations, Fayez noted.

Fayez stressed importance of activating inter-parliamentary cooperation, stressing the need to unify the positions of both countries' lawmakers on issues of common concern discussed at Arab and international parliamentary forums.

Affirming Egypt's water security as an “integral” part of the security of Arab states, Fayez highlighted the need for a pan-Arab position in support of a "fair and binding" international agreement to preserve Egypt's water rights based on international law.

Fayez likewise renewed the call for an Arab economic summit to be held with the goal of creating an Arab economic union, noting that the union would help Arab countries face challenges related to comprehensive sustainable development.

The Senate president called on legislative bodies in Jordan, Egypt and Iraq to push their respective executive authorities to work on the speedy implementation of the trilateral cooperation agreement and related partnership project termed "The New Levant".

The project deals with multiple existing economic and political understandings, and aims to build investment partnerships as a starting point to the ultimate goal of Arab economic integration.

Fayez appreciated Egypt's position in support of His Majesty King Abdullah's positions which focus on establishing peace in the region and resolving the Palestinian issue in a just and comprehensive manner based on the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions.

For his part, Jabali affirmed the "deep-rooted" nature of bilateral relations in implementation of the directives of King Abdullah and President Sisi, and stressed Cairo's support for His Majesty’s positions in all international arenas, particularly those pertaining to the Palestinian cause.

The Egyptian House of Representatives supports the Egyptian government's procedures to implement the country’s trilateral partnership with Jordan and Iraq, and its related cooperation project, Jabali said.

The Egyptian speaker also thanked Jordan for hosting the Egyptian community in the Kingdom, and for the care and attention that Egyptians receive in Jordan.