His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday told a visiting delegation of US congressional aides that Jordan was moving in the right direction to achieve reform.
Talks at the meeting with the delegation focused on measures taken so far to achieve comprehensive reform in the Kingdom and enhance public participation in the decision-making and development processes.
King Abdullah briefed the US legislative staffers on Jordan’s reform efforts, Jordanian-US relations and the latest developments and changes in the region.
The King stressed the importance of achieving economic reform that addresses imbalances and coming up with solutions to various economic challenges, particularly poverty and unemployment.
His Majesty pointed to Jordan’s efforts to develop education in the Kingdom and the achievements made in this field.
Members of the delegation voiced appreciation for the progress and development of the Kingdom’s IT sector as well as pilot projects launched in the field.
“Jordanian political parties, which must represent right, centrist and left orientations, should crystallise specific and practical programmes and plans that contribute to addressing various challenges and issues of concern to citizens such as health, education and jobs,” the King said during the meeting, attended by HRH Prince Feisal and Director of the King’s Office Imad Fakhoury.
Regarding regional developments and the peace process, the King underlined the responsibility of the international community in pushing the peace process forward and resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to reach the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The King warned that Israel’s settlement expansion policies and unilateral measures in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Holy City of Jerusalem, undermine the peace process and increase tension and instability in the region.
King Abdullah stressed the US’ role in helping the Palestinians and Israelis return to the negotiating table and discuss all final status issues in order to meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people and their legitimate right to establish their own independent state.
Regarding the situation in Syria, the King expressed concern over the developments there, stressing the need to end violence and reach a political solution to the crisis. He also expressed Jordan’s support for the mission of UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.
The delegation commended the King’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region as well as his reform efforts in the Kingdom, stressing their keenness to support cooperation between the two countries.