The image of Jordan on geographical map reminds of a saw. There is something symbolic in this image, because people living in these area were fighting for their freedom and independence with foreign invaders for thousands years. The Jordanian proverb “Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet” is born out of the rich history of this ancient people.

The Jordanian national flag symbolizes the connection of the Kingdom entity with the Big Arab Revolt 1916, banner of which has become a base for this state symbol. Black, white and green stripes of the flag symbolize accordingly the Abbasid, Umayyad and Fatimid dynasties, and the binding dark-red triangle - the Hashemite dynasty. Seven-pointed Islamic star in the center of the triangle embodies 7 verses from 'Al-Fatiha' surah of the first chapter of the Holy Quran.

Starting from the second part of the second century B.C till 63 year B.C, the history of Jordan was connected with the nabateyy. The city of Petra was their capital - crossroads of the trading ways from the Persian Gulf, Western Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea. 

The remnants of the earliest known Christian temples were found in Jordan. The construction's ruins from the unburnt bricks in Aqaba are regarded to be the oldest church in the world, built for this purpose. Presumably, this chapel was built at the end of III - the beginning of IV century. At present it is generally agreed, that the land of modern Jordan is the part of the blessed neighborhoods, mentioned in the Holy Quran.  

THE PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS RIGHT!

Jordan's King Abdullah II is loved and adored from young to old. Men see him as a courageous warrior - before ascending the throne, a former commander of rapid reaction forces, he wields all kinds of firearms, skydives, dives, drives tanks and planes. There are 4 children in the Royal Family, and Jordan's Queen Rania is the true Beauty.

Under the Constitution of the country, once ascended the throne, the King give the oath of office before the National Assembly, presided over by the President of the Senate, in respect for the constitution and loyalty to the nation.

He is the Head of State, he possesses immunity and accepts no liability.

The King approves and promulgates the laws, orders to draft guidelines required for its implementation, providing that that the latter is totally compatible with the regulations of these laws.

His Majesty is the Supreme Commander of the Army, Navy and Air Forces. The King declares war, makes peace and ratifies treaties.

Treaties of peace, alliance, commerce, navigation and other treaties, entailing territorial change of the country, treasury's expense or concerning the sovereignty, or affecting the Jordanians' public and private laws, entry into force only after approval of the National Assembly.

The Ukrainian journalists have met with the Jordanian Parliamentarians. Mr. Bassam Al-Manaseer (in the photo), the Chairman of Arabic and International Affairs Committee of the Lower Chamber of Parliament, has explained about the National Assembly and the way it works. Deputy speaker Marwan Al-Hmoud (in the photo) met with the journalists in the Upper Chamber - Senate.

IN THE FIRST PERSON

BASSAM MANASEER - The last Parliament elections were held on January 23rd, 2013. The Lower Chamber - Chamber of Deputies, consists of the deputies, elected by secret and direct ballot in accordance with the Electoral Act.

The term of office for Chamber of Deputies is 4 years of the date on which the results of the general election are announced in the official newspaper.

Elections are being held during 4 months, preceding the expiration of the term of office of the former chamber. If the elections are not ended by the end of this term or delayed for whatever reasons, the chamber continues functioning by the end of the elections for the new chamber.

Chamber of Deputies has the right to decide the validity of its members' mandate issue; during 15 days from the election results announcement in his electoral district, any voter can submit a letter of objection to the Secretariat of the House, indicating the reasons for considering mandate of a certain person to be invalid. Mandate can be recognized as invalid only by resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the Chamber members' votes.

Any member from Chamber of Deputies can resign by making a Statement to the Chairman of the Chamber; it is appropriate for the Chairman to submit the resignation issue to the Chamber, that approves or rejects resignation.

There are 150 deputies in the lower Chamber. 27 mandates are stated for the deputies elected by political parties. Currently, 8 factions work in the Parliament of Jordan. And 8 deputies run a Deputy group “Jordan-Ukraine”.

 ***

IN THE FIRST PERSON

MARWAN AL-HMOUD - the Upper Chamber of Parliament is made up of 75 senators, that is totally consistent with the Constitution of the Kingdom.

Each member of the senate must meet the conditions, provided in the Constitution, besides, he can’t be under the age of 40.

The senators must be among those of the following categories:

Chairman or the former Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Ministers or former Ministers, former Ambassadors or Ministers Plenipotentiary, former Chairmen of the Chamber of Deputies, presidents and judges of the civil cassation and appellate or sharia courts, retired military officers not below brigadier general, former deputies, having been elected not less than 2 times, or anyone, who is credible and supported by the people for his actions and services in the name of the nation and motherland.

The Senate has an 8-year mandate; half of the Senate membership is renewed every 4 years. Beyond that date, mandate is renewable. 

Lot determines those, awaiting disposal after the first 4 years, members eliminated by lot, can be appointed again. Senate President, being a member of the senate, is also subjected to lots.

Being assigned to the post for 2 years, Senate President can be appointed again.

The Senate is convened simultaneously with the Chamber of Deputies: time session for both of the chambers is the same.

If the Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, the Senate’s sessions are called off.

***

Having communicated with the parliamentarians, it becomes clear, that Jordan focuses its foreign policy on the regional level, trying to respond adequately to the threats to national security, which are mainly terrorist threats. The Kingdom will keep on developing economic cooperation with China and other countries in the South Asia, as well as deepening the financial cooperation with the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf.        

SHUKRAN, TARAS SHEVCHENKO!

Amman is the capital of Jordan, unforgettable city. Like Rome, the city is settled around 7 hills. If you'd like to feel the charm of Amman, you should definitely visit Jabal Al-Qal'a. Arab lifestyle is buzzing here - loud voices of the street greeters, robust coffee, steeples of mosques, soft hummus on flatbreads, craggy lanes, minarets, whirlpool eyes of Bedouins. This is Amman.

Thanks to personal energy and initiative of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine Sergiy Oleksiyovych Pasko, in addition, deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of the second convocation, the city has become the only one in 22 Arab countries, where there is Taras Shevchenko street and Kobzar Park.

Nowadays, Taras Shevchenko is considered to be the most famous foreign poet. Three years ago, Municipalities of Amman and Madaba named two streets in the honor of great Ukrainian poet. And at present, taxi drivers give their passengers a lift not to Al-Umouma street but to Taras Shevchenko avenue.

Today, you can see a plague in honor of Great Kobzar, which is on Taras Shevchenko avenue in Amman, where the Embassy of Ukraine is situated: a marble plinth is engraved with the words in Ukrainian, Arabic and English – “This street is named in the honor of great Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko on the occasion of his 200 Anniversary. The Greater Amman Municipality's decision, March, 2014”.

Upon the proposal of Ambassador of Ukraine in Jordan Serhiy Pasko, TarasShevchenkoPark was opened in Amman on March 9th, 2015. The Mayor of Amman Aqel Biltaji proposed to name this park as the Park of Ukrainian-Jordanian Friendship in memory of Taras Shevchenko. At that point, the following words were delivered: “Shukran, Taras Shevchenko” - (Thank you, Taras Shevchenko).

After the opening ceremony of the park, the Ukrainian community in Amman have planted 100 trees, among which 75 tree saplings were transported from M.GryshkoNationalBotanic Garden in Ukraine (walnut, oak, chestnut, lilac, guelderrose). Later on the occasion of the national days of Ukraine, 100 trees more have been planted in Taras Shevchenko park.

The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has awarded the Mayor of Great Amman Aqel Biltaji the Order For Merit of 2nd degree in the honor of the 24th Ukraine's Independence Day for a personal contribution in bolstering the international credibility of Ukraine, promoting its historical heritage and innovative advances. The Mayor of Amman Aqel Biltaji was the sole representative of the Arab countries among the 15 foreign citizens. This award is to be granted to him the current year in Kiev during a memorial ceremony commemorating Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko.

They still talk in Jordan about the mighty song “Reve ta stogne Dnipr shyrokyy”, first performed in Arabic by the Ukrainian student Anna Nelup in 2014. A bit earlier, the Jordanians had a chance to hear the legendary “Testament” (Zapovit), translated from Ukrainian by a famous poet Mikhail Naimy.

Culture, education, science - have become engines for the development of the Ukrainian-Jordanian relations -, the Ambassador Sergiy Pasko is saying. - The priority area is education. Five thousand Jordanian citizens have received higher and secondary special education in Ukraine for the past 20 years. Currently, 3 thousand of students are studying in the Ukrainian universities.

The vocal choreographic ensemble “Zernyatko” of the children creative center “OverheadMountains from the Podol region, folk artistic band, winner of international and national contests toured on the invitation of the Greater Amman Municipality in Jordan. It participated in the 12th summer camp “Growing-up in Jordan”. Besides the Ukrainian delegation, there were children from Palestine, Sudan, USA, Pakistan, Jordan in the summer camp.

The ensemble “Zernyatko” performed the concert programs in which, the Jordanian folk song in Arabic became a zest.  

A GOOD FRIEND IS BETTER THAN A BAD BROTHER

Thousands of miles separate Jordan and Ukraine. We, Ukrainian journalists, have been proven time and again how people from the far Arab country closely follow developments in Ukraine, extend their support to the Ukrainians in their fight for territorial integrity and independence. Dr. Hani Mulki, chief of the Special Economic Zone 'Aqaba' believes that Ukrainian businessmen will start working at the Red Sea area. Dr. Hani Mulki told us about the priorities of FEZ 'Aqaba' and emphasized that Jordan is in need of Ukrainian ship-repair workers, pharmacists, furniture-makers and experts in the field of petrochemistry.

***

Speaking of surprises, “Holos Ukrayiny” provided gifts for the Ukrainian Embassy staff in Jordan - the latest newspapers, gift T-shirts, calendars, gift caps with the logo of the Verkhovna Rada newspaper. The diplomats were extremely happy to get a care package.

Голос України, В’ячеслав ВОРОНКОВ