Jordan Times
Friday, February 18, 2005
Klaus commends Kingdom's
development process
AMMAN (Petra) — Czech President Vaclav Klaus held talks with senior
parliamentarians on Thursday and outlined his country's commitment to strengthen
relations with the Kingdom.
Klaus, who arrived in the Kingdom on Wednesday on a four-day visit, met with
Senate President Zeid Rifai who said the visit represented a major step in
efforts to enhance bilateral relations.
“There are several fields to develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation,”
Rifai said at the meeting, also attended by Klaus' accompanying delegation.
In his presentation, Rifai outlined His Majesty King Abdullah's vision for
democratic reforms, sustainable development, legislative modernisation,
investment and economic legislation in the Kingdom.
For his part, the Czech leader commended the level of bilateral ties and
expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation.
Also Thursday, Klaus met separately with Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali,
with regional issues and the situation in Palestine and Iraq being the focus of
discussion.
Majali highlighted efforts on the part of His Majesty King Abdullah to bring
about peace and stability in the region.
Majali also briefed Klaus on the Kingdom's political and socio-economic reform
process saying that the goal is to enhance public participation in
decision-making and entrench the principles of justice, equality, freedom and
accountability in public life.
Majali also called for an increase in economic relations between the Czech
Republic and the Kingdom, noting the Kingdom has eliminated all obstacles to
investment through enacting legislation that guarantees a secure investment
environment.
Klaus said the Czech Republic and Jordan see eye to eye on regional issues and
share the desire to see the region secure and stable.
Klaus commended the King's efforts towards attaining a just and comprehensive
peace in the Middle East and underlined the need to get the Palestinian-Israeli
peace process back on track in accordance with internationally recognised
resolutions.
Meanwhile, Czech First Lady Livia Klausov· on Thursday visited the Nour Al
Hussein Foundation's National Music Conservatory (NMC) and met with the
foundation's director Hana Shahin and students. Klausov· listened to musical
pieces played by the NMC orchestra. The Czech first lady also presented
souvenirs to the students.