King meets US House committee chairs, members

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah began his visit to Washington, DC, with a series of meetings on Tuesday with the chairs and members of a number of US House of Representatives committees.

King Abdullah expressed Jordan’s keenness to enhance cooperation with the United States across the military and defence fields during a meeting with the House Armed Services Committee, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, according to a Royal Court statement.

At the meeting, which covered the latest regional developments, His Majesty reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering position towards the Palestinian cause, warning of the ramifications of unilateral measures and emphasising the need to de-escalate the situation and restore calm to ensure a political horizon remains for solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through serious negotiations.

The King stressed the need to step up efforts to reach just, comprehensive, and lasting peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

The meeting also covered efforts to reach political solutions to regional crises, in addition to cooperation between Jordan and the United States in the fight against terrorism within a holistic approach.

Members of the House Armed Services Committee underscored the deep-rooted and strategic partnership between the two countries, commending His Majesty’s role in bolstering friendship and close cooperation between Jordan and the US.

The members also expressed appreciation for Jordan’s role, under His Majesty’s leadership, in bolstering stability and pursuing peace in the region.

Moreover, the King, accompanied by the Crown Prince, met with the chairs and members of the House Appropriations state and foreign operations as well as the defence subcommittees.

His Majesty expressed Jordan’s appreciation for the US’ continued support, particularly in implementing development programmes in the Kingdom, commending the recent memorandum of understanding on the seven-year strategic partnership between Jordan and the US, which attests to the friendly relations between the two countries.

New areas of cooperation in various sectors were also explored, particularly in the economic, development and food security fields.

The King emphasised the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation between Jordan and the United States on issues of mutual concern, to enhance security and stability in the region and around the world.

For their part, members of the subcommittees reaffirmed the United States’ continued bipartisan support for Jordan, expressing their keenness to support the Kingdom in bolstering its integral role in maintaining peace and stability in the region, stressing the importance of the memorandum of understanding between the two countries in this context.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan and Jordan’s Ambassador in Washington, DC, Dina Kawar attended the meetings.