Tarawneh meets Georgian official over regional crises

AMMAN — Regional security and stability will not be achieved without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that ensures the establishment of a Palestinian state with the pre-June 1967 borders and east Jerusalem as its capital, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said on Monday.

During a meeting with visiting Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze, Tarawneh said that the House considers the US’s recognition of Jerusalem Israel’s capital “a discouraging step”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Tarawneh added that Washington’s decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem will have an impact on efforts to relaunch peace efforts and is in favour of the forces of “extremism and terrorism” at the expense of regional “moderation forces”.

As for the Syrian conflict, he stressed that the absence of prospects for a political solution that safeguards the war-torn country’s territory will leave “dark shadows on the future of the region”.

He noted that the Kingdom has preserved its security and stability despite the regional upheavals, citing the crises on its northern and eastern borders in Syria and Iraq.

The speaker pointed out that Jordan has been engaged in a battle against terrorism aimed at wiping out the phenomenon militarily and ideologically.

He added that these various challenges have triggered a decline in the living standards of the people in the region.

On refugee crises, Tarawneh said that Jordan has opened its borders in respect of international law and received large numbers of refugees from Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria, in addition to hosting Palestinian refugees for decades.

During the meeting, the two sides highlighted the importance of developing bilateral ties, especially measures to facilitate the granting of visas and ways to boost cultural, touristic and economic cooperation.

For his part, Kobakhidze highlighted the two countries’ common interests, saying that the visit of the Georgian delegation strives to strengthen “already distinguished” bilateral cooperation.

He noted that his country is interested in enhancing its relations with Jordan in the parliamentary, economic and tourism fields.

Terrorism is an important issue that must be faced jointly, he added.

Also on Monday, the delegation visited the Museum of Parliamentary Life, affiliated with the Culture Ministry.

The delegation members had a firsthand look at the museum that documents several important events in the history of Jordan, such as the declaration of independence, the coronation of their late majesties King Talal and King Hussein and the endorsing of the unity of the two banks, among others, Petra reported.