Amman, Sept. 16 (Petra) – Senate President Faisal Fayez and a French
parliamentary delegation on Wednesday discussed relations,
parliamentary and economic cooperation, and developments in the
Middle East.

Fayez met with members of the French National Assembly’s
France-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Association, headed by
Philippe Lottiaux, in the presence of Senate Jordan-France Friendship
Committee Chairman Salameh Hammad and several committee members.

The meeting was also attended by Jordanian-French Parliamentary
Friendship Association Chairman Ibrahim Tarawneh, MP Rand Khazouz,
and French Chargé d’Affaires Jean-Christophe Augé.

The two sides discussed ways to expand bilateral relations,
particularly in parliamentary, investment, political, and economic
fields, and emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in
strengthening cooperation.

Fayez described Jordanian-French relations as strategic and based on
longstanding political trust, citing cooperation in diplomacy,
security, defense, trade, investment, water, energy, education,
scientific research, and development.

He called for institutionalizing Jordanian-French parliamentary
dialogue and expanding cooperation between specialized committees in
the two countries’ legislatures, including exchanges of legislative
and oversight expertise.

Fayez also expressed appreciation for French assistance to Jordan in
addressing economic challenges linked to regional conflicts.

Turning to regional developments, Fayez referred to the ongoing
Iranian-American-Israeli war, continued Israeli attacks against
Palestinians, Lebanon, and Syria, and Iran’s expansionist ambitions,
which he said are no less dangerous than Israel’s aggressive and
expansionist policies.

He said His Majesty King Abdullah II has called for an end to the
Iranian-American-Israeli war and urged the international community to
work toward comprehensive and sustainable de-escalation that restores
stability and supports peace.

Fayez expressed hope for a final agreement to end the conflict,
stressing that Jordan would not allow its territory to become a
battlefield for any party. He also condemned the Iranian attacks and
those carried out by Iran-aligned groups against Jordan and Gulf
states.

He called for continued Jordanian-French cooperation to create a
political horizon for ending the Israeli occupation and ensuring
implementation of all provisions of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Fayez reiterated Jordan’s rejection of any solution to the
Palestinian issue that compromises its national principles,
sovereignty, or security, as well as its rejection of the forced
displacement of Palestinians, which is a violation of international
law and a war crime that would fuel further regional conflict.

He also welcomed a joint statement by the foreign ministers of France
and several European and Western countries reaffirming the two-state
solution as the viable path toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive
peace. He cited their stated intention to impose European
restrictions on trade in goods linked to settlements considered
illegal under international law and to encourage further
international measures targeting activities that support their
continuation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Fayez also highlighted France’s support for King Abdullah II’s
efforts toward regional peace and stability and for the Hashemite
Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Members of the Senate’s Jordan-France Friendship Committee discussed
expanding bilateral cooperation, including support for the Baptism
Site International Orthodox University (BIO Uni) and the possibility
of establishing a French university in Jordan similar to existing
American and German university models.

Members of the French parliamentary delegation stressed the
importance of continued support for Jordan and discussed expanding
cooperation between Jordanian and French cities and municipalities
through twinning arrangements.

The meeting concluded with a broader discussion on issues of mutual
interest and ways to expand the Jordanian-French partnership.

//Petra// AO