His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said the fight against corruption is a national priority and a pillar in the development and modernization process.



During a meeting with Transparency International (TI) Chairperson Hugutte Labelle, the King said Jordan is in the process of institutionalizing efforts against corruption through a package of legislation, including the recently endorsed Anti-Corruption Commission Law, the Financial Disclosure Law and the Right of Access to Information Law, among others.



More importantly, he said, an anti-corruption culture should be instilled in the minds of people so they realize that the values of merit, justice, integrity, equal opportunity and the rule of law are the ones the community should seek to enhance.



Anti-corruption efforts, King Abdullah told Labelle, are prone to foster people's confidence in the rule of law, contribute to investment promotion, strengthen the national economy and help address poverty and unemployment.



The King voiced support for TI in its endeavors to promote anti-corruption practices in the world.



The King's Office Director Bassem Awadallah, Minister of Justice Sharif Zu'bi, TI Chief Executive David Nussbaum and director of the organization's Jordanian branch Bassem Sakkijha also attended the meeting.



Labelle said her organisation backs Jordan's efforts in combating corruption, commending the King's initiative to establish the anti-corruption commission.



Labelle and her team are in Jordan to take part in the Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which was opened Sunday on the shores of the Dead Sea under the King's patronage.



Also on Monday, His Majesty King Abdullah received Kuwaiti Minister of Public Works and Housing Bader Humeidi, who arrived in the country for talks on cooperation in the housing sector, especially the exchange of expertise on building housing projects for low income segments.



The Kuwaiti minister discussed bilateral ties with his Jordanian counterpart Hosni Abu Gheida. He also paid a visit to the Housing and Urban Development Corporation.



King Abdullah also met Vice President of Kuwait's Citizen Service and Evaluation of Agencies Bureau Sheikh Tamer Al Sabah, who is representing his country at the UNCAC conference.



Meanwhile, newly appointed ambassadors presented their credentials to King Abdullah at Basman Palace.



The ambassadors are Gong Xiao Sheng of the People's Republic of China, Jacob Rosen of Israel, James Wilfred Watt of the United Kingdom, Bourt Mahnic of the Republic of Slovenia, Patrick Bernard Renauld of the European Commission, Erato Kosko Marcoullis of the Republic of Cyprus and Assoumane Guiaouri of the Republic of Niger.



Awadallah and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Ilah Khatib attended the ceremony.

The Jordan Times