King meets US Congress members as they affirm keenness to bolster ties

AMMAN — Members of the US Congress, during Capitol Hill meetings with His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday, affirmed their keenness to bolster the strong, longstanding ties between Jordan and the US.

They also stressed their commitment to Jordan’s progress and prosperity, describing it as a stabilising, influential force in the region, a Royal Court statement said.

King Abdullah met with the US Senate Leadership, the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the House Armed Services Committee.

The US lawmakers noted the importance of their meetings with His Majesty, and their keenness to hear the King’s views, commending his efforts towards regional stability and Jordan’s effective role in the region.

During discussions that covered the strategic partnership between the two countries and the latest regional developments, His Majesty stressed the importance of the Jordan-US partnership and commitment to advancing political, economic, and military cooperation, according to the statement.

The King expressed appreciation for the US’ support for Jordan, and for its participation in the London initiative, held recently to support the Kingdom’s economy.

His Majesty also commended Congress’ support for Jordan.

The meetings touched on economic plans and reforms implemented by Jordan to stimulate growth and create jobs, and covered the repercussions on Jordan’s economy due to regional crises, the statement added.

In discussing regional concerns at the meetings with congressional committees, which include new members, His Majesty outlined Jordan’s positions on various issues in the region, stressing the need to step up international efforts to achieve peace and bolster security and stability.

The peace process was a top issue at the meetings, with the King affirming that there is no alternative to the two-state solution to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and that there can be no security or stability in the region without just and comprehensive peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty called for preserving the status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, warning against continuing Israeli escalations in Jerusalem and their impact on peace prospects, according to the Royal Court.

Turning to the Syrian crisis, the King stressed the need to reach a political solution that maintains Syria’s territorial integrity and the unity of its people, as well as the return of refugees.

The meetings also covered regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach, and Jordan-US cooperation in this regard.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Jordan’s Ambassador to the US Dina Kawar attended the meetings.

In a press interview, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) stressed the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the United States.

“We had an opportunity to touch base again and talk about our concerns… and all of the challenges in neighbourhood, including the refugees that Jordan has had to deal with for a long time,” Senator McConnell said, referring to the meeting with His Majesty.

“I wanted to underscore our relationship with Jordan is solid. We intend to continue to be there for Jordan,” he added.

For his part, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), chairman of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programmes Subcommittee, said: “I think King Abdullah has the best understanding of anybody I know of what’s actually going on in the Middle East… He has a lot of credibility here on Capitol Hill.”

“The King of Jordan represents stability… Our budget is in trouble, but we’ve all decided that more money to Jordan is a good investment. What Jordan has done with the Syrian refugees is a very noble thing, and a very difficult thing, and we are going to help Jordan more,” Senator Graham noted.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama), chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said the meeting with His Majesty was important in enhancing Jordan-US ties, stressing the importance of fostering this deep-rooted friendship.

The United States, Senator Shelby added, is committed to ensuring that Jordan remains strong.

For his part, Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said the King “has a significant amount of influence here in America because he is viewed as a person who really wants to see peace, and he is willing to work for it”.

Senator Risch added that Congress is always keen to meet with the King to listen to “his overview of what’s happening in the region”.