King receives WAC delegation
shaheennews
His Majesty King Abdullah II on Wednesday received a delegation from the Board of Trustees of the World Affairs Council (WAC) for a discussion on local issues and developments on the regional and international arenas.
The meeting tackled a number of challenges facing the Kingdom and ways to deal with them. In this context, His Majesty said that Jordan has been experiencing difficult circumstances ever since its founding, but it proved it’s capable of overcoming difficulties and challenges.
The King pointed out that he directed the government to reach out to citizens and follow up on their needs, so they always feel that channels of communication with the State are open.
His Majesty stressed that stimulating the economy, creating job opportunities for Jordanians and improving the level of services provided to them is a top priority.
With regard to Middle East issues, King Abdullah stressed that the two-state solution leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only way to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Commenting on the so-called confederation project, the King pointed out that this issue surfaces from time to time, saying: “As I said before, confederation with whom?.”
King Abdullah said that he will soon travel to New York to attend the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he will meet with world leaders to discuss the Palestinian issue, ways to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and the Syrian refugee crisis.
On the latest developments related to the Syrian crisis, the King pointed out that the situation in southern Syria is moving toward stability. He stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to find a political solution to the crisis, in a way that preserves the unity and stability of Syria and fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people to live in their homeland in peace and security.
Members of the WAC delegation expressed appreciation of His Majesty’s role and efforts in defending the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem in various international forums, noting that the Palestinian issue is always at the forefront of the Jordanian political and diplomatic efforts spearheaded by His Majesty.
They underlined the importance of the Hashemite custodianship over Muslim and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem and preserving the Holy City’s identity and supporting the steadfastness of its people.
Emphasizing their confidence in Jordan’s ability to deal with regional crises, they stressed that having a strong home front is important to address challenges facing the Kingdom, pointing out that His Majesty has established Jordan as a model for moderation.
During the meeting, they reviewed the role of the Council in spreading political awareness about issues of concern to the Jordanian people.
Noteworthy, the WAC was founded in 1997 as an independent association with the aim of promoting public interest in intellectual issues related to the Jordanian society and the international community, and encouraging substantive dialogue on issues affecting citizens’ lives.
WAC also works to deepen understanding in international affairs, clarify the Jordanian role in various issues, and enhance the capacity of its members to contribute to national dialogue on local and international issues.
