His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday stressed that there is no going back on the path of reform.

Reform is the optimal means to overcome challenges and build on previous achievements for the best future for Jordan and Jordanians, King Abdullah said during a meeting with Lower House Speaker Faisal Fayez and presidents of the various parliamentary blocs on Tuesday.

Arriving at a national consensus regarding the National Dialogue Committee’s recommendations, he said, is the best way to foster an approach to reform that guarantees engagement of all Jordanians, citizens and political parties, in the drive towards development.

Reform creates opportunities for Jordanians and provides them with the decent life they deserve, he said.

Economic reform is urgently needed to strengthen the national economy and the drive for political reform, King Abdullah reiterated.

In light of the present economic conditions and the impact of the global financial crisis, the King said everyone must do their job with transparency and objectivity and as one team to effect changes to the economic situation in a manner that positively reflects on the living standard of Jordanians.

During the meeting which was followed by a second meeting with heads of the parliamentary committees, the King said the Lower House has large responsibilities to bring the reform laws into force.

In March, King Abdullah tasked the National Dialogue Committee with introducing a new elections law that ensures broader participation in the decision-making process as key to reform.

A new and modern elections law is the basis of political development as it helps enhance the collective national identity, provide for fair representation and improve the performance of political parties, the King said.

In addition, sound legislation regarding parliamentary elections, he added, will ensure that contenders for House seats will be fairly competing on the basis of clear and practical programmes that place economic and social challenges at the top of their scale of priorities.

The King said the new elections law should guarantee the integrity and transparency of the electoral process and voiced hope that this will lead to political party representation in Parliament to form governments at a later stage.

He said Jordan must strengthen freedom of expression and consolidate the culture and practice of democracy to guarantee the highest level of public participation in decision-making process.

The King also stressed efforts to motivate Jordanians to participate in the drive towards sustainable development.

He said development cannot be achieved unless everyone is guided by the values of justice, equality and the supremacy of the law.

He also emphasised that a “strong domestic front and preserving national unity are the guarantees to confront the various challenges”.

The Lower House deputies present at the meeting pledged that the House will work for the success of the reform process and meet people’s aspirations.