Jordan PM reviews domestic, regional developments

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Saturday reviewed a host of domestic issues and Jordan's position towards regional developments, including U.S.-backed Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, during a meeting with editors of local dailies, columnists and heads of official media outlets. During the meeting, attended by State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, Ensour said state prestige lies at the core of all national issues, vowing that the government is forging ahead with enforcing the law "on all and without hesitation". He said all forms of bullying the state should come to an end and "that state prestige must be placed above any other considerations since it is closely connected with development and social peace". "State prestige and the rule of law is an interest that all agree upon," he said, adding that the loss of state prestige is not in anybody's interest. Commenting on the 2014 state budget passed by the Lower House last week and economic measures taken by his government, Ensour said it is based on sound planning and spending projections without exaggerated revenues. He said the performance of the House, which passed the budget bill on Wednesday after a marathon debate, was "noticeable" over the past period in terms of oversight and legislation. The premier also spoke about energy challenges posed to Jordan, pointing out that the government was mulling nuclear energy for electricity generation, adding that resistance to the atomic energy scheme should be based on "studies, not on impressions". Turning to political reform and freedoms, Ensou said his administration would revisit the current political parties law and present a new draft bill with the aim of developing partisan life in line with a pledge he made before parliament and His Majesty the King's directives. The prime minister also assured the country's senior journalists that the government will work to come up with a new electoral law "taking into consideration all previous efforts and in a manner to make a positive and credible leap in the law". He further added that a new draft income tax law will be passed to the legislature after the government finalizes the bill's various articles. Speaking about Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations currently underway, Ensour said Jordan had interests at stake that should be safeguarded, particularly the issue of refugees, ruling out the issue of granting the Jordanian nationality. He added: "there is no link between the negotiations now underway and the issue of granting nationality". "What we are currently working on is (offering) services to the children of Jordanian women, such as education and health, upon proposals forwarded by a number of lawmakers," he added.