King Abdullah highlights reform measures

His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday highlighted the different steps and measures Jordan has taken to achieve comprehensive reform in various fields in order to provide a better future for Jordanians. During a meeting with a US congressional delegation, the King asserted that these steps reflect Jordan’s commitment to forge ahead with political reform, which, he said, must be accompanied by economic reform that addresses the various challenges and problems facing the country, especially poverty and unemployment. King Abdullah voiced hope that Jordan will have strong and efficient political parties in the future whose work will be based on clear and well-defined programmes and who can deal with community problems and represent the various segments of society. His Majesty also highlighted mega-projects that Jordan seeks to implement in the water, transport and energy sectors. Discussions also covered the latest developments in the Middle East. The Monarch stressed the importance of intensifying peace efforts and resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a manner that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders. During the meeting, attended by US Ambassador Stuart E. Jones, King Abdullah said the US must continue to help the Palestinians and Israelis resume peace negotiations that should tackle all final status issues, on the basis of the two-state solution. He urged the Israelis to take serious steps towards peace. King Abdullah also commended the US Congress\' support for Jordan and for development programmes in different fields, expressing appreciation of its efforts to intensify cooperation with Jordan’s Parliament and other Arab parliaments. The congressional delegation expressed their appreciation of the King’s efforts and his support of reform, as well as the role Jordan plays to achieve peace and stability in the region. The visiting delegation comprised Congressmen David Dreier, David Price, Keith Ellison, Gwen Moore and Jim McDermott. Also yesterday, Lower House Speaker Faisal Fayez met with the congressional delegation and briefed them on the development of parliamentary life in Jordan.