Jordan Times
Thursday, June 9, 2005
Reforms must be in cooperation with civil society — Khader
AMMAN (Petra) — The government seeks to enhance public freedoms and democracy with the help of the nation's various institutions, Minister of Culture and Government Spokesperson Asma Khader said on Wednesday.
Speaking at her weekly meeting with the press at the Royal Cultural Centre yesterday, Khader, said that in order for these objectives to be met, cooperation will be required on the part of the country's civil society institutions, unions and parliamentarians.
Asked about the new political parties and professional associations' laws, Khader said draft laws have been prepared but have not yet been submitted to Parliament for approval. She did not specify a date for submission.
However, she noted that the Lower House of Parliament was currently examining the press and publications and right of access to information draft laws.
Minister of State for Public Sector Reform Tayseer Smadi, who attended the meeting, said the government is pursuing the task of developing the public sector in order to improve the performance of government institutions.
To achieve this objective, he said, the government is pushing ahead with the restructuring of government institutions and reevaluating the civil service salary scale.