[25/April/2004] SANA'A, April 25 (Saba) - Chairman of the Jordanian Senate Council Zaid al-Refai and his accompanying delegation arrived in Sana'a on
Sunday to participate in the 1st conference of the Association of Senates and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World that is being held in Sana'a.

al-Refai said in remarks to Saba upon his arrival that the importance of the conference comes as it is the first serious attempt to enhance the parliament cooperation between Africa and Arab World.

He expressed his hope to establish the base of this association.

al-Refai added that he would hand over a letter from King Abdullah to the Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh dealing with the Yemeni-Jordanian mutual ties.
For the same purpose, the general secretary of Arab Maghreb Union Al-Said Moqadam arrived in Sana'a Sunday.

Moqadam affirmed the big role of Sana'a conference to make the base of the association and convoy the current development in the mutual parliamentary work.
He also mentioned the standing of Sana'a capital and its contribution to holding successful international activities.

From his side, the general secretary of the Arab Parliamentary Union Nor al-Din Bashkoj, who arrived in Sana'a on Sunday, said that holding the conference in Sana'a implies the high reputation
that Yemen enjoys due to adopting democracy and human rights the framework the national unity.

He added in remarks to Saba upon his arrival that the large number of delegations and the high level of participation prove the Yemen standing among participating countries.

Bashkoj further added that the conference would enable the participants to exchange experiences and views as well as to coordinate efforts to make the conference a success under current circumstances.

JW/NS

SABA