His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday began a series of meetings with Congressional leaders and members in Washington as part of his state visit to the United States.

During the meetings, discussions focused on the latest developments in the Middle East, the strategic ties between Jordan and the US and means to enhance them, especially through offering further support to the Kingdom in facing economic challenges.

King Abdullah met separately with US Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Texas), chairperson of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations, and the panel members; and with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and other Democratic Party leaders in the US Congress.

During the meeting, His Majesty stressed the key role the US House of Representatives can play in supporting Middle East peace efforts based on the two-state solution, which, he said, is the only means to achieve comprehensive peace, security and stability in the region.

The King said the two-state solution should guarantee the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 4 June 1967 line, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security with Israel.

Jordan’s higher interests, His Majesty added, are the top priority when it comes to discussing final status issues in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Discussions also focused on the Syrian crisis and its impact on neighbouring countries, especially with the mass exodus of refugees, the majority of whom have fled to Jordan.

The King highlighted the repercussions of hosting such a large number of Syrian refugees in Jordan and the effect of the crisis on its limited national resources, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to support the Kingdom in its humanitarian role.

His Majesty also discussed with the US Representatives ways of support the House and its members can provide Jordan to address its economic challenges, especially those related to energy, development, and the Syrian refugee crisis and its consequences on the Kingdom.

During the two meetings, the King also highlighted the progress achieved so far in Jordan’s reform endeavour, which has contributed immensely to enhancing democracy and public participation in the decision-making process.

His Majesty also underlined Jordan’s determination to move ahead with the comprehensive reform process based on a gradual, steady and balanced approach that can realise Jordanians’ ambitions of a better future.

Jordanian-American relations and the role of the US House of Representatives in bolstering them were also discussed during the meeting.

The King thanked the US House of Representative’s leaders and committee members for backing the decision to raise the volume of assistance to Jordan and supporting pro-Jordan policies within decision-making circles in the US.

For their part, the House leaders and members the King met expressed their appreciation of Jordan’s essential role in supporting peace efforts in the Middle East and their keenness to help Jordan address its economic challenges, especially those imposed by the influx of Syrian refugees.

The lawmakers said they understand the economic woes facing Jordan, vowing to assist the Kingdom in overcoming these difficulties in cooperation with decision makers in the US and the world.

The House leaders also voiced appreciation of Jordan’s efforts to combat extremism, citing two major conferences Amman hosted recently to fight sectarian violence and enroot coexistence between followers of the different faiths.

They expressed their admiration at the vision of the King and his precise assessment for the situation in the Middle East, stressing their keenness to continue coordination with His Majesty and to listen to his opinions regarding regional development.

The two meetings were attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs Nasser Judeh, His Majesty’s Office Director Imad Fakhoury and Jordan’s Ambassador to the US Alia Bouran.

The King will continue his meetings with congressional committees on Wednesday to explain the Kingdom’s stance towards the current developments in the Middle East and the economic challenges facing Jordan.

The meetings also seek to place Jordan’s interests on top of the US’ decision makers’ scale of priorities.