Economic challenge remains paramount national priority

His Majesty King Abdullah II, on Wednesday, said that raising the living standards of Jordanians has been his preoccupation and the focus of his directives to all governments.
During a meeting held at the house of former prime minister Ahmad Lozi, the King also stressed preserving state prestige and public properties as a collective responsibility and said all assaults and violations should be dealt with according to the law.
He praised the awareness of all Jordanians of the higher national interests, and the efforts of all official institutions, namely the legislative authority that endorsed a package of legislations.
King Abdullah noted that the passage of legislation starting with constitutional amendments that were followed by laws regulating political life that took the kingdom into an advanced stage and turned it into a regional model in reforms.
King Abdullah said Jordan has always been capable of overcoming challenges with fortitude and determination.
His Majesty said Jordan had succeeded in many occasions to turn challenges into opportunities, thanks to the awareness and wisdom of its people and the readiness of its national institutions.
King Abdullah said he is proud of the outstanding efforts of the armed forces and security agencies to bolster national stability and protect its higher interests.
Jordan, he said, is a unique example of Muslim-Christian coexistence, diversity and tolerance, noting the country's efforts to advance dialogue and moderation and the repudiation of violence and extremism.
The King pledged in this context that Jordan will continue its historic role of protecting Arab Christians, who are an inseparable part of our region's history and civilization in the past and at present and future.
Also during the meeting with the national figures, King Abdullah reviewed the comprehensive reform process which the kingdom had committed to forge ahead with, in a gradual and balanced fashion and according to a road map based on national priorities.
Source: Petra