Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
King says national guidelines need timetable
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Monday said the anticipated guidelines by the Steering Committee for the
National Agenda should be "workable and in line with a fixed timetable."
King Abdullah told the committee at a Royal Court meeting that its
recommendations, expected in September, should be in accordance with citizens'
needs and aspirations.
Urging cooperation and coordination between the Parliament, government and civil
society institutions to achieve the national goals, the Monarch reiterated that
Jordan was on the right track for comprehensive reform.
During the meeting, Royal Court Minister Marwan Muasher, who heads the
committee, said 200 representatives of the private sector and civil society
organisations were picked to work on an eight-point plan on the National Agenda.
Muasher hoped that the committee would draft its recommendations before the
September deadline.
He noted that a subcommittee on political development is currently examining
related legislation on elections, political parties, public freedoms, civil
society institutions, the media and empowerment of women.
King, Thai PM hold talks
Also on Monday, King Abdullah discussed with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra means to boost bilateral relations, particularly trade and
investment.
At a meeting, the King briefed Thaksin on Jordan's efforts to achieve peace and
stability in the region.
The talks were attended by Prime Minister Adnan Badran, Muasher and Foreign
Minister Farouq Qasrawi.
Heading a top delegation, Thaksin arrived in Amman yesterday on a two-day trip —
his first official visit to the Kingdom.
Asia Roundtable
After his meeting on Monday, the Monarch left for the UAE en route to Singapore,
where he will attend the World Economic Forum's Asia Roundtable.
The King arrived in Abu Dhabi on a one-day visit during which he will meet with
President Sheikh Khalifah Ben Zayed Al Nahayan on Tuesday. He was received by
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad Ben Zayed, deputy supreme commander of
the UAE armed forces and other senior officials.
In Singapore, the King will address more than 250 prominent economic, political
and academic figures from 34 countries attending the event, scheduled for April
28-29. He will speak about the Middle East's political and economic situations
as well as Jordan's reform plans.
On the sidelines of the Roundtable meeting, the King will also address an Asia-Mideast
business seminar.
The Jordanian delegation groups the King's Personal Envoy and Special Adviser
HRH Prince Ghazi Ben Mohammad, Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez, Muasher, Minister
of Finance Bassem Awadallah and Minister of Industry and Trade Sharif Zu'bi.
The King was accompanied by 25 Arab Business Council members, who are expected
to meet with their Asian counterparts.
The participating countries will convene to identify critical issues and
generate insights necessary to develop the right strategic response to the
region's growing global economic and political influence, according to the WEF's
website.
The King will also hold talks with Asian business leaders and senior Singaporean
officials on investment opportunities in the Kingdom. Jordan and Singapore are
bound by a free trade agreement.