Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - King Abdullah II said, on Monday, that comprehensive, gradual and ongoing reform is a key pillar of Jordan's democratic course, on which the various social components are agreed.

King Abdullah stressed during a meeting with the president and members of the parliamentary centrist Islamist bloc on cementing the relationship between the three authorities to bolster the national modernization and development drive.

He also emphasized during the meeting held at Al-Husseiniyeh Palace that public confidence in the country's institutions is fundamental for the success of the development process.

The King urged parliament- both the house and senate- to expedite the passage of legislation during the current extraordinary session.

He said the economy and other challenges posed by regional circumstances are a top agenda priority.

The King noted a ten-year economic blueprint the government is currently drafting in a partnership with all governmental and private sector stakeholders.

The meeting, that tackled a host of national issues, is the latest in a series of encounters with MPs and parliamentary blocs. Among the issues tackled in today's meeting were: energy, poverty and unemployment, the budget deficit and foreign debt.

The King urged the government to speed up mega alternative energy and other development projects. He also said attracting foreign investment is a key priority in the current stage with the aim of launching job-creating ventures.

On regional issues, the King said Jordan is in contact with the parties to the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks in a way to safeguard the kingdom's higher national interests.

On Syria, he warned against the consequences of the ongoing conflict on the region, referring to the influx of Syrian refugees and the pressures it posed to infrastructure and services, particularly in northern and central Jordan.

*Petra