King listens to Parliament’s response to Speech from the Throne

AMMAN — Parliament on Sunday presented its response to the Speech from the Throne, which was delivered by His Majesty King Abdullah on November 13 to inaugurate the 19th Parliament’s second ordinary session.

With HRH Crown Prince Hussein in attendance, the Senate’s response, delivered by Senate President FaisAl Fayez at Raghadan Palace, highlighted the Senate’s participation in political and economic modernisation, in cooperation with the government, according to a Royal Court statement.

The Senate president stressed the importance of completing the third modernisation track to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of public administration.

Fayez said Jordan will maintain its steadfast support for Arab causes, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, expressing pride in the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

In the House of Representatives’ response, House Speaker Ahmad Safadi stressed that the Speech from the Throne is a roadmap for the upcoming period, with the House aiming to modernise its rules of procedure to ensure effective parliamentary action.

The speaker added that the House has set its sights on reaching the national objective of ensuring broader popular participation in policy- and decision-making, adding that the House supports every step that bolsters public administration.

Turning to the Palestinian cause, Safadi praised the King’s steadfast position in defence of Palestinians’ rights and in undertaking the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

A number of Royal Family members, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazou, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, His Majesty’s advisers, and Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Wajih Azaizeh attended Parliament’s response to the Speech from the Throne.