Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, approved on Wednesday the Political Parties draft law for 2014, thus marking an important milestone in the political reform process.

The new draft law comes in line with the Constitution, which stipulates that Jordanians have the right to form political parties to boost democracy and develop the political life in Jordan.

Under the new draft law, founders of any political party should not be less than 150, instead of 500 in the previous law. Previously stipulated conditions which included that the founders should be from seven governorates were cancelled.

Moreover, Jordanians who have completed the age of 18 years, instead of 21, can join political parties. The law also allows the parties to receive grants and donations from Jordanians, though these should not exceed JD50,000.

Further, the political parties file will be tackled by the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved a strategic plan presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs to enhance communication with Jordanians abroad.

The council of ministers was briefed by Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on the importance of this plan in serving and protecting the Jordanians abroad. The plan, the minister said, also includes initiatives and projects to boost contact between the Jordanian expatriates and their homeland.

Under the proposed plan, Jordanians living outside the Kingdom will be briefed on the investment opportunities available for them as well as means to promote the Jordanian skilled manpower in international markets.

The cabinet was briefed on the progress made in projects funded by the $5 billion GCC grant.

*Petra