US lawmakers vow continued support for Kingdom

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and a US congressional delegation, headed by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), on Sunday discussed the strategic partnership and cooperation between both countries, as well as regional and international developments.

His Majesty, during the meeting that was attended by HRH Prince Feisal, voiced Jordan's appreciation for the US support and the pivotal role of the Congress in helping the Kingdom address challenges ensuing from regional crises, and enable it to implement development programmes, according to a Royal Court statement. 

In this regard, King Abdullah underlined the five-year Memorandum of Understanding that both countries have signed recently on economic and military cooperation, under which the US grants Jordan $1.275 billion a year through 2022, with the door left open for additional aid. 

Meanwhile, the King highlighted the importance of realising just, comprehensive peace in the region and intensifying regional and international efforts to re-launch negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis according to the two-state solution, which leads to the establishment of a Palestinian independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, which lives in security and peace side by side with Israel.

The King pointed out Jordan’s efforts in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite custodianship.

During the meeting, which continued over a lunch banquet, both sides reviewed various challenges and crises in the Middle East and endeavours to work out political solutions to these conflicts, in addition to efforts in the war on terrorism within a holistic approach.

For their part, Pelosi and the delegates expressed their appreciation for Jordan’s focal role in realising peace and enhancing regional security and stability, commending the Kingdom’s efforts in handling the repercussions of hosting Syrian refugees.

They also expressed the Congress’ keenness on supporting the country and providing it with all kinds of support in various fields. 

Also on Sunday, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with the delegates over relations between Jordan and the US and regional developments, especially those related to the Palestinian issue and challenges facing the efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. 

They also went over developments in the Syrian crisis and the war on terrorism, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Safadi stressed the “deep-rooted” strategic relations between the US and Jordan on several levels, expressing Jordan’s appreciation for the support provided by the US. 

For her part, Pelosi praised King Abdullah’s role and efforts to promote peace, security and stability and combat terrorism, stressing that US support for Jordan as a strategic partner would continue.