New Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said on Sunday that the legislature is keen on closely cooperating with all the constitutional authorities of the State in an institutionalized relationship and that it would not relinquish its monitoring role “to serve the higher national interest.” He made the remarks during a meeting with the Judicial Council and Court of Cassation president Hisham Tal and members of the council to discuss a vision to forge a stronger, cooperative relationship between the legislative and judicial authorities. Tarawneh said the judiciary is “the pillar of justice and a judicial reference,” pledging that the House would pass legislation tied to constitutional amendments within the timeframe set by the constitution during the current parliamentary cycle. He said the legislature was open towards Jordanian expertise in the public and private sector and civil society institutions and would deal with them with utmost transparency and respect. Tal wished Tarawneh, who was elected to the House speakership last Sunday, success and said the Judicial Council was interested in a perpetual relationship with the representatives of the people, noting that the Jordanian judiciary is fully independent.