Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Speaker of the Lower House, Atif Tarawneh, said on Monday that the Palestinian issue is a top priority for Jordan and that any decision related to Jerusalem would not change the historic and legal status quo of the holy city.

Welcoming Spain's ambassador Aranzazu Banon Davalos, Tarawneh said that the Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites is a historic and legal obligation, which the Kingdom will not relinquish.

"The failure to reach a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, including setting up a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, would stir further insecurity and tension and keep the region unstable", Tarawneh told the diplomat.

Referring to the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Tarawneh said the decision by the United States as a sponsor of the peace process was a shock to everyone and was biased and one-sided. He hailed the "positive" stance on the issue by European Union nations, particularly Spain.

The meeting also dealt with the difficult economic conditions and a huge budget deficit Jordan is facing as a result of regional turmoil, which led to the closure of the Kingdom's borders with neighbouring countries and the influx of waves of refugees into the Kingdom.

The Spanish envoy, on her part, commended Jordan's stance on Jerusalem and its endeavors to bring about comprehensive peace between the Palestinians and Israelis and achieve the two-state solution.

She said her country will continue to provide assistance to Jordan to promote investment and support renewable energy and water projects.