Jordanian-French senate delegations discuss Gaza, ties

Amman: A Senate delegation met with their counterparts from the French delegation, on the sidelines of the two sides' participation in the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland. The delegation is headed by the Senate's Chairman of the Administrative Committee, Dr. Khaled Bakkar. According to the Senate's statement on Monday, the two delegations exchanged views on the current events in the Gaza Strip and their impact on Jordan and the region. Bakkar spoke about the constant contacts between His Majesty King Abdullah II and French President Emmanuel Macron, to stop war on the Gaza Strip and deliver aid to the coastal enclave. Bakkar stressed that Israel's aggression and killing of civilians and children in Gaza is considered genocide and requires Israel's leaders to be held accountable as war criminals. In response to a question from the French side about the water-for-electricity agreement, Bakkar said: "Talking about this issue in light of the crimes committed by Israel is considered a form of madness, and this matter is absolutely unpopular." Continuing:" Agreements signed with the Israeli occupation are considered invalid as a result of Israel's non-compliance with international conventions and resolutions." The deals touch on "Jordanian efforts to host refugees, which have placed great burdens on Jordan and negatively affected infrastructure," he pointed out. Additionally, the senator stressed that Jordan bears a heavy burden in fighting extremists and terrorists, especially the smuggling of weapons and drugs across the Kingdom's northern front. Meanwhile, members of the French delegation stressed importance of providing "appropriate" support to Jordan, given importance of its "pivotal" role in the region Source: Jordan News Agency