Jordanian monarch meets KJA delegation

Jordan's King Abdullah II yesterday lauded his country's relations with Kuwait, revealing that he will shortly pay a visit to the Gulf nation. During a reception he hosted for a delegation of Kuwaiti journalists, who are currently visiting Jordan, the King described Kuwaiti-Jordanian relations as "excellent" at all political, economic, security and military levels and an example of an advanced model of relations between two brotherly Arab countries. King Abdullah II also confirmed Jordan's full support for providing all the necessary facilities to Kuwaiti investors and overcoming any obstacles and difficulties that could impede their investments, voicing optimism that doing so would increase the volume of foreign investments in Jordan. He noted that there are great opportunities available to develop, strengthen and increase the economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, "especially since Kuwaiti investments are among the largest Ar ab investment in the Kingdom and there is a unique and great experience between the two countries in this area. He said that strengthening and enhancing relations between Arab countries requires the discussion of all issues in transparency and full clarity to reach outstanding levels of integration and cooperation. The Jordanian monarch stressed that "while discussing the mechanism of Jordan's accession to the Gulf Cooperation Council, matters should be discussed openly and transparently. On the current political turbulence in the region, especially the issue of the Middle East peace process, King Abdullah II said that the region is "going through a dark tunnel and that the situation does not call for optimism." He emphasized that "not finding a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause that terminates the Israeli occupation and establishes an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders means a continuing case of tension, violence and lack of security and stabili ty in the region. He added that achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis would require Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories and recognize the right of the Palestinian people to sovereignty over their land. On the Jordanian Kingdom's desire to join the GCC, King Abdullah II stressed that this wish is "not new, but was made many years ago. He said that his country's accession to membership of the GCC would be a large and important step towards the documentation of historical relations of cooperation between Jordan and the GCC states in order to achieve the common interests of both parties. On the subject of reform in Jordan, the King said that his country is going ahead with a process of comprehensive reform, "and there is nothing to fear in this matter," stressing that it is vitally important that economic reform take place alongside politi cal reform, so as to address economic challenges and provide employment opportunities while meeting the aspirations of the new generation. The King also briefed the delegates on constitutional amendments and his administration's desire to approve recent parties and elections' laws providing for party and parliamentary life, "which we hope to reflect in the achievement of positive change for the future of Jordan." On the political rallies and sit-ins that have taken place in the Kingdom since the beginning of the year, King Abdullah II said they are "protected," adding that the Jordanian leadership decided from the very beginning of the unrest to protect the protesters and ensure their safety. For their part, the delegates praised the reform-oriented vision of the Jordanian monarch, lauding his supportive stance towards Arab causes, particularly his commitment to strengthening relations with Kuwait in particular and the GCC in general. The head of the Kuwaiti delegation, KJA chairman Ahmad Behbehani, stressed the importance of the delegation's visit, saying that it provides an opportunity to meet with Jordanian officials in order to further strengthen the ties of brotherly cooperation between th e two countries and peoples. As well as the KJA chief, the Kuwaiti delegation also includes the Editor-in-Chief of the Kuwait Times Abdulrahman Alyan and the Editors-in-Chief of the Kuwait News Agency and Al-Anba daily, Rashid Al-Ruwaished and Yousef Khalid respectively. The delegation arrived here on Tuesday and has held a series of meetings with senior officials.