PM, Canada Senate Speaker review comprehensive modernisation project

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Thursday met with Canadian Senate Speaker George Furey. 

Discussion covered bilateral relations, enhancing cooperation, as well as regional developments and efforts to achieve regional peace and stability, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Highlighting the “outstanding” diplomatic relations between the two nations, Khasawneh praised the aid and technical support Canada has provided to Jordan in various fields.

The prime minister reviewed the Kingdom’s comprehensive modernisation project, led by His majesty King Abdullah, and its political, economic and administrative spheres.

The legislative regulations governing the political modernisation process, represented by the Parties and Elections laws, aim to enhance women and youth participation in political and partisan work, ensuring that they are more broadly represented in upcoming parliaments, he said.

Regarding the economic modernisation vision, the prime minister said that the plans aims to double the economic growth rate to around 5.5 per cent after a 10 year period, and provide about one million job opportunities for Jordanian youth by attracting foreign direct investments, enabling existing local investments and empowering the private sector, which is regarded as the main engine of economic growth.

He noted that the administrative modernisation project is intended to provide the best public sector services to citizens and investors, adding that the plan largely includes facilitating and simplifying procedures.

Regarding the latest regional developments, the prime minister reiterated Jordan's “crystal clear” stance on the necessity of finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue that guarantees the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with full sovereignty over the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also stressed the urgency of halting unilateral Israeli actions and preserving the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, including its Islamic and Christian holy sites. 

Meanwhile, the Canadian Senate Speaker emphasised the deep bilateral relationship between the two nations, highlighting the importance of enhancing communication between citizens and officials of both countries. 

He praised Jordan's comprehensive modernisation efforts, particularly in the political sphere, and noted that there are broader prospects for increasing cooperation. 

Canada is ready to provide Jordan with the assistance and technical expertise it needs, Furey said.