(MENAFN - Jordan Times) His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday highlighted Jordan's reform efforts during a meeting with a delegation from the US House of Representatives.
The King commended the US Congress' and administration's support for development and reform programmes the Kingdom is embarking on at all levels, stressing that the Arab Spring has created the suitable atmosphere for Jordan to move ahead with the comprehensive reform process.
He acquainted the congressmen with steps taken in the country to expedite reforms, which, he noted, started with constitutional amendments followed by several measures organising political life, according to a Royal Court statement.
King Abdullah noted that the coming parliamentary elections will be the first step towards establishing parliamentary governments and the advent of political blocs representing the left, right and centre.
His Majesty reiterated that the Kingdom is embarking on comprehensive reform at all levels according to a vision that takes future needs into account and is prone to improve the public's participation in the decision-making process.
He stressed that Jordan will continue with the reform process until its objectives are achieved, particularly in the economic and political fields.
Political reforms should entail plans to combat poverty and unemployment, create work opportunities, enhance Jordanians' living conditions and ensure a better future for them, the King said.
Discussions during the meeting also covered current regional developments and the situation in Syria.
King Abdullah underlined the need to find a solution for the Syrian crisis within an Arab consensus, adding that Jordan supports the mission of UN and Arab League envoy Kofi Annan in this regard in order to prevent more bloodshed and violence in Syria, according to the statement.
On the Middle East peace process, the King underlined the international community's responsibility in pushing the peace process forward and resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to a just and comprehensive solution, arriving at the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders that lives side-by-side with Israel.
He stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the region, especially at this stage, which is marked by many political developments in the region.
King Abdullah underscored the need for the US to assist the Palestinian and Israeli sides to return to the negotiating table and address final status issues.
For their part, the congressmen, led by Tom Price (R-Georgia) and Patrick Meehan (R-Pennsylvania), commended the Kingdom's reform efforts, stressing their commitment to fostering the Jordanian-US partnership to best serve the interests of the two countries.
The US legislators also lauded the Kingdom's regional role.
Also yesterday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mashal Al Zaben, met the congressmen and discussed bilateral ties and issues of concern to the two countries' armies.
