Reform, modernisation are my agenda – King

AMMAN (JT) – His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday stressed that comprehensive reform and the modernisation process are his personal agenda.

“We are moving ahead with the reform endeavour to build upon achievements, bring about development and realise Jordanians’ aspirations for a better future,” the King said, as quoted in a Royal Court statement.

During a meeting with representatives of the professional associations, the King called for supporting all forms of constructive dialogue and standing firm against non-democratic moves that threaten the country’s national unity.

“We want all to participate in the modernisation process that serves Jordanians’ future and their ambitions,” emphasising that “no one will hold back the people’s will to continue this rewarding endeavour”, the statement said.

During his meeting with the president and members of the Professional Associations Council, the second one in less than two months, the Monarch said: “You have a greater responsibility to support the comprehensive political, economic and social reform process, which should ensure a wider participation of citizens in the decision-making process and building the Kingdom’s future,” according to the statement.

The King also underlined the state’s seriousness in moving ahead with the political and economic process. “As I stressed previously, we have a golden opportunity to improve Jordan and there is nothing we fear.”

His Majesty again denounced a security clampdown on protesters on Friday, pointing out the incident “does not represent Jordanians’ morals and manners”, calling for “leaving the event behind and opening a new chapter”.

In addition, the King called for wasting no time and working immediately on drafting new elections and political parties laws and amending all legislation related to these aspects, the statement said.

Also attending the meeting were Royal Court Chief Khalid Karaki and King’s media adviser, Amjad Adaileh.

The Monarch underscored that dialogue, consultations and concord are the basics to addressing challenges facing the Kingdom and the best methods to better serve the country, according to the statement.

For their part, the leaders of the 14 professional unions stressed their commitment to the country’s national constants and their keenness on supporting the nationwide dialogue to achieve the envisioned reform, calling for leaving behind last Friday’s event and moving ahead with the modernisation process and efforts to preserve the good image, the statement said.

Professional Associations Council President Abdul Hadi Falahat said: “We should look ahead and forget what happened on Friday because this is the best way to serve the country’s higher interest.”

Falahat stressed that the state’s political system, security, stability and sovereignty are top priorities as far as the associations are concerned. The King, he said, is the only guarantee of the Kingdom’s national unity and its social cohesion.

“We may agree or disagree with other institutions on any issue other than the need to preserve the country’s security and unity,” he said, adding that “the difference is over policies”, according to the statement.

The unionists emphasised that freedom of expression should be manifested in a peaceful and civilised manner without trespassing over other people’s rights, indicating that peaceful expression of opinions is a “collective responsibility” that will lead automatically to dialogue.

They explained that the state media outlets should work on calming social unrests and not evoking tension among citizens.

In addition, they expressed appreciation for the King’s treatment of people on equal footing regardless of their origins and ethnicities, indicating that “the King and the people are reading on the same page”.

They also said that there are certain parties that are working “intentionally or unintentionally” on inducing tension in the society, explaining that there is confusion between “reform and power”.

The National Dialogue Committee was also on the table of the professional associations representatives’ discussions with the King yesterday, when they stressed that the panel should complete its mission as soon as possible as scheduled and should come up with “clear visions” and recommendations on the envisioned reform, with the government remaining committed to them, the statement said.

They also stressed the importance of combating all forms of corruption to boost the state’s prestige and protect the gains through a concise and well-defined reform programme that can lead to tangible outcomes and enhance citizens’ trust in state’s institutions, according to the statement.

They said that there are powers and obstacles hindering the reform and modernisation process which need to be dealt with through dialogue with all segments of society, especially the youths.

jordantimes