AMMAN JIB — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday, December 13th,  listened to the two Houses of Parliament’s replies to the Speech from the Throne he delivered at the opening of the fourth ordinary session on November 28, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Both Houses stressed their support for the recommendations made by the We are All Jordan Forum, held in July to set the country’s priorities, including the most urgent laws designed to institutionalise reform efforts in the economic and political spheres

In the speech, the King praised the national consensus achieved in the meetings, “and reflected in practical working programmes and unanimous agreement on immutable national principles.”

Thus, the King continued, “the next phase of the government’s work will be based on a number of these national principles, primary among them: Improving Jordanians’ living standards, preserving public freedoms, enhancing popular participation — especially the participation of women and youth — in decision making, fighting corruption, ensuring the supremacy of law, enhancing the judiciary’s independence, enhancing transparency and accountability, focusing on human resource development and self-sufficiency, and strengthening the pillars of financial stability and those of our currency.”

In their replies to the speech, Senate President Zeid Rifai and Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali voiced appreciation for the Gulf States, especially Saudi Arabia, for their economic support of Jordan.

In his address at the Parliament, King Abdullah referred to Jordan’s success in obtaining aid from the Gulf States.

Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the 2007 state budget stands at JD398 million, the government told the Lower House on Monday.

In his speech, the Monarch said he had directed the government, as they were preparing the general budget for 2007, “to include programmes and projects that would improve the standard of living of citizens in all governorates, enhance the investment climate and realise justice in the distribution of the benefits of development.”

Praising these efforts, the two Houses also commended the King’s efforts to bring about peace and stability in the region, responding to remarks the King made in his speech.

“As for regional challenges, and the circumstances through which the region is passing, from the moment they appeared, Jordan sought to crystallise a united Arab stance that could speak to the world in one voice and face these challenges. It will continue in earnest to exert such efforts,” King Abdullah said in his speech.