King continues meetings at US Congress

AMMAN — Chairs and members of a number of US Congress committees affirmed on Wednesday that the United States stands by Jordan to enable it to overcome challenges as it pursues comprehensive development, stressing their support for the Kingdom as a strategic partner for their country.

During His Majesty King Abdullah’s meetings in Capitol Hill with the Senate committees on armed services, foreign relations and appropriations; and the House committee on armed services, the US lawmakers expressed their appreciation of Jordan’s efforts to bring security, peace and stability to the region, commending the Kingdom’s humanitarian role towards refugees, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Also at the meetings, a number of which were attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the US lawmakers said they appreciate His Majesty’s leadership and vision on bringing security and stability to the Middle East, stressing that their meetings with the King are an opportunity to listen to his insight on the region.

The chairs and members of the committees also praised Jordan’s efforts to fight terrorism and extremism within a holistic approach.

His Majesty’s second day of meetings at the US Congress committees covered the political, economic, and military partnership between Jordan and the United States, in addition to regional and international developments.

Discussions addressed the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries and means to advance it further, as well as the impact of regional crises on Jordan’s economy and the economic and fiscal programmes undertaken by the Kingdom to stimulate economic growth and build a resilient, job-creating economy.

Discussing the pressures brought on Jordan’s economy from the Syrian refugee crisis, King Abdullah stressed that Jordan has reached its limit and cannot take in more refugees, affirming that the Kingdom’s security and interests are the priority.

His Majesty urged the international community to uphold its humanitarian responsibilities towards the Syrian people and work towards ending the escalation in southern Syria.

The King also outlined Jordan’s positions on regional issues and crises, especially the developments related to the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the Syrian crisis.

His Majesty stressed the need to step up efforts to break the impasse in the peace process, arriving at just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, which leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King noted the important role of the United States in relaunching serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

His Majesty reiterated that the subject of Jerusalem must be settled within the framework of a final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, underlining that Jerusalem is the key to achieving peace and stability in the region.

Discussing the Syrian crisis, the King affirmed the need to maintain stability in the de-escalation zone in southwestern Syria and respect the trilateral Jordanian-US-Russian agreement in this regard.

His Majesty also called for intensifying efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the unity and the security of its people, and its territorial integrity.

Moreover, discussions tackled overall crises in the region, in addition to international and regional efforts to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, Adviser to His Majesty for Economic Affairs Mohammad Eses and Jordan’s Ambassador to the United States Dina Kawar attended the meetings.

In a press interview after the meetings, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tennessee), chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said members of the Senate appreciate the ties of friendship between the United States and Jordan, and their two peoples.

“We also always enjoy hearing [His Majesty’s] view of what’s happening in the region… so we have always a very heavy attendance of Senators when he comes,” Corker added.

The lawmaker said the King “is someone we consider a thoughtful voice on foreign policy issues”.