King: Modernisation embodies national Jordanian will

• Shedding culture of ‘political salons’ key for partisan action
• Economic Modernisation Vision a national roadmap that continues across governments
• Accountability is key for administrative reform
• ‘The Syrian crisis’ ramifications are many and disastrous’
• No security, no stability, and no peace in region without solution to Palestinian struggle
• King clarifies remarks on ‘Arab NATO’, says ‘Jordan wants to bolster, activate joint Arab action, in service of our causes and our interests’

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah has said that Jordan does not have the luxury of time on its path towards modernisation.

In a wide-ranging interview with Al Rai Chief Editor Khaled Al Shogran, the King said that all the state’s authorities and institutions must work in tandem, in accordance with the Constitution, to realise modernisation. (See full text of interview)

“Modernisation is our national choice to bolster the state’s resilience in the face of challenges, and ensure that Jordan’s national interests remain above all else,” 

the King said.

Elaborating on partisan action, the King said it requires putting public interest before personal benefit, and realistic platforms before personal ambition.

In order for partisan action to be successful, the political elite must abandon “the culture of political salons and engage actively in partisan life instead”, the King added.

“Modernisation was not launched reactively under pressure or due to an emergency. It simply embodies our national Jordanian will as we foresee the future and work towards mature democratisation. The success of political modernisation cannot be realised by denying achievements and undermining our progress,” the King said.

Regarding the Economic Modernisation Vision, the King said that the government has the responsibility of devising an action plan and a clear timeframe for the implementation of the vision’s outcomes, which is a national roadmap that continues across governments.

“We want this vision to transform government work from the daily to the strategic. We do not want to have each government start from scratch in the economic file, but to build on what was achieved before it, in order to address the needs of creating job opportunities and expanding the economy to achieve sustainable development and growth, while capitalising on our opportunities and advantages,” the King said.

In respect of administrative reform, the King stressed accountability as key as “public service is an honour and a responsibility”.

The King said that the Aqaba incident revealed aspects of administrative shortcomings that must be addressed not only in the port city, but also in all public institutions.

However, the King also pointed to the great efforts exerted to mitigate the impact of the incident.

Clarifying his recent remarks on an Arab NATO, the King said: “Jordan wants to bolster and activate joint Arab action, in service of our causes and our interests.”

“Historically, Jordan has been at the forefront of joint efforts to counter terrorist and security threats against Arab countries and their peoples.

“We are talking about the need for an institutional Arab defence system. This requires thorough consultations and coordination, as well as hard work with our brothers, to ensure that the mission statement and goals are clear,” His Majesty said.

Relating to security challenges, predominantly drug and arms smuggling operations on the border, His Majesty said they are a threat to Jordan and to fellow Arab countries. Smuggling operations have reached Arab and European countries. The King expressed his full confidence in the professionalism of the Armed Forces. “Thankfully, our borders are secure with the efforts of the Nashama of our Arab Army,” the King said.

“The Syrian crisis’ ramifications are many and disastrous. Resolving it requires reaching a comprehensive political solution that addresses all its implications, ends the suffering of the Syrian people, creates the conditions to allow for the voluntary return of refugees, and restores security and stability in Syria. This is what we have been working towards, and we continue to do so,” the King said.

Reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, the Monarch stressed there can be no security, no stability, and no peace in the region without a solution that lifts the oppression on the Palestinian people and fulfils their right to liberty and an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on their national soil, on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“And Jordan, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, will also continue to counter attempts to change the historical and legal status quo in the holy city. This is our duty that we will persist in undertaking,” His Majesty said.