Parliament work should be based on platforms — King

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday said all authorities and entities of the public and private sectors should join efforts towards improving the living standards of citizens and their economic conditions. 

Addressing economic challenges facing the Kingdom, including poverty, unemployment and the budget deficit is “at the top of our priorities” in order to guarantee a decent life and a better future for our people, the King told members of the Lower House’s Watan (homeland) bloc during a meeting at Husseiniya Palace.

The Watan bloc, chaired by Deputy Khaled Bakkar, comprises 18 deputies.  

At the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, King Abdullah underscored the role of the Lower House as a legislative and oversight body in support of the country’s reform drive, noting that programme-based parliamentary work is the way to enhance the House performance. 

In this context, he stressed the importance of institutionalising the work of parliamentary blocs so that they act on the basis of a clear and well-defined vision, and, consequently, suggest answers to the country’s woes that can help the government draw up strategies and determine priorities. 

The King commended the House’s recent endorsement of amendments to its by-laws, describing the move as “a step towards increasing the efficiency of the Lower House”. 

The Monarch stressed the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation between the House and the government, within the framework of partnership and complementing roles. 

Discussions also addressed the latest developments at the regional level, especially in relation to the Middle East peace process and efforts exerted to arrive at a comprehensive political solution for the Syrian crisis. 

King Abdullah reaffirmed Jordan’s positions regarding these issues, noting that the country remains well-informed of all the details of the peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, in a manner that safeguards Jordan’s higher national interests. 

The lawmakers expressed appreciation of the King’s continued contacts with the House members and blocs, and listening to their views vis-à-vis different national issues and House performance. 

Briefing the Monarch on the House accomplishments during the current ordinary session, which is scheduled to end on May 3rd, they said the House has endorsed around 30 laws pertaining to political, economic and legal reforms and held four joint sessions. They called for supporting the Jordan Armed Forces and security bodies, stressing the need for enforcing the rule of law across the Kingdom.  With regard to development, they asked for more fair distribution of projects across the country, especially in rural areas to mitigate the problems of poverty and unemployment. 

Ensour highlighted the government’s commitment to maintaining contacts with the various brackets of the community and to build real partnership with the Lower House. 

Regarding economic issues, he said the government seeks to foster the role of industrial estates in all governorates to create jobs for local residents and address economic difficulties.    

The meeting, that was also attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, is part of a series of encounters the King is holding to maintain contacts with lawmakers over issues of national interest.