Jordan Times
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Fight against corruption
a national priority — King
Seven ambassadors present credentials
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Monday said the fight against corruption is a national priority and a pillar in
the development and modernisation process.
During a meeting with Transparency International (TI) Chairperson Hugutte
Labelle, the Monarch said Jordan is in the process of institutionalising efforts
against corruption through a package of legislation, including the recently
endorsed Anti-Corruption Commission Law, the Financial Disclosure Law and the
Right of Access to Information Law, among others.
More importantly, he said, an anti-corruption culture should be instilled in the
minds of people so they realise that the values of merit, justice, integrity,
equal opportunity and the rule of law are the ones the community should seek to
enhance.
Anti-corruption efforts, King Abdullah told Labelle, are prone to foster
people’s confidence in the rule of law, contribute to investment promotion,
strengthen the national economy and help address poverty and unemployment.
The King voiced support for TI in its endeavours to promote anti-corruption
practices in the world.
The King’s Office Director Bassem Awadallah, Minister of Justice Sharif Zu’bi,
TI Chief Executive David Nussbaum and director of the organisation’s Jordanian
branch Bassem Sakkijha also attended the meeting.
Labelle said her organisation backs Jordan’s efforts in combating corruption,
commending the King’s initiative to establish the anti-corruption commission.
Labelle and her team are in Jordan to take part in the Conference of State
Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which was
opened Sunday on the shores of the Dead Sea under the King’s patronage.
Also Monday, the King received Kuwaiti Minister of Public Works and Housing
Bader Humeidi, who arrived in the country for talks on cooperation in the
housing sector, especially the exchange of expertise on building housing
projects for low income segments.
The Kuwaiti minister discussed bilateral ties yesterday with his Jordanian
counterpart Hosni Abu Gheida. He also paid a visit to the Housing and Urban
Development Corporation.
King Abdullah also met Vice President of Kuwait’s Citizen Service and Evaluation
of Agencies Bureau Sheikh Tamer Al Sabah, who is representing his country at the
UNCAC conference.
Meanwhile, newly appointed ambassadors presented their credentials to King
Abdullah at Basman Palace yesterday.
The ambassadors are Gong Xiao Sheng of the People’s Republic of China, Jacob
Rosen of Israel, James Wilfred Watt of the United Kingdom, Bourt Mahnic of the
Republic of Slovenia, Patrick Bernard Renauld of the European Commission, Erato
Kosko Marcoullis of the Republic of Cyprus and Assoumane Guiaouri of the
Republic of Niger.
Awadallah and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Ilah Khatib attended the
ceremony.