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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour briefed a delegation of US congressional aides, who are on a visit to the Kingdom, on reforms implemented by Jordan under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

At the meeting, attended by State Minister for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani and the US Ambassador to Jordan Alice Wells, Ensour praised the strong ties between Jordan and the US, as well as the US’ support to the Kingdom in implementing developmental programs and projects.

The prime minister said that the recent constitutional amendments presented by the government and approved by the Lower House of Parliament will contribute towards boosting democracy in the Kingdom.

"Jordan, despite its limited resources and regional circumstances, is pressing ahead with political reforms and enhancing political reforms," he added, noting that the country is proud of its achievements in the fields of education, medicine and medical tourism.

Ensour also pointed to challenges facing the Kingdom, mainly in host communities of Syrian refugees, and the pressure they place on Jordan's economy, the services and developmental sectors.

In this context, he said the cost of hosting Syrian refugees in the Kingdom, whose number exceeds 1.42 million, equivalent to 20 per cent of Jordan's population, stood at JD3 billion.

On the Palestinian issue, Ensour said Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, spares no effort to support any initiatives aimed at resuming Palestinian-Israeli talks, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian national soil with East Jerusalem as its capital.

"All the problems and challenges facing the Middle East resulted from a failure to find a just solution to the Palestinian issues," he added.

Members of the delegation praised Jordan's efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Middle East as well as the country’s role in hosting Syrian refugees.

State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani also met separately with the delegation and said the recent constitutional amendments are a new and important stage along the path of comprehensive reforms.

He pointed to accomplishments made by Jordan in the past years which have enhanced the role of national institutions.

Momani also spoke about the challenges facing the Kingdom, mainly the budget deficit, unemployment, poverty and the lack of resources including energy and water.

The King, he said, has always called for intensifying international efforts to resume Palestinian-Israeli talks that address all final status issues and achieve aspirations of the Palestinians in establishing their state.

On Syria, the minister reiterated Jordan's stance which called for arriving at such a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Syria that ends the suffering of the Syrian people and ensures the refugees’ return to their country.

*Petra