King voices optimism by launching new path restores hope, confidence to region’s peoples

His Majesty King Abdullah II voiced optimism by launching a new path that restores hope and confidence to the Middle East region’s peoples, leading to a future of development and prosperity, adding that: “It seems that there is a new spirit of cooperation and coordination among many of my friends in the region, so I came here to Washington to see how we can turn 2021 into a positive year.”

His Majesty made his remarks, on Thursday, as he met with Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol, in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, stressing that Jordan and the United States see eye-to-eye on the region’s challenges and issues related to them.

His Majesty appreciated the warm welcome by Pelosi and her colleagues in the U.S. Capitol, noting that a long time had passed since the last visit to Washington due to what was imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

His Majesty said: “We are happy to be back here, because what we have learned from the last year with the pandemic is that we no longer speak to each other in the same familiar language that we should use, and here we are in Washington to build on our brotherly relationship with this country.”

His Majesty thanked the United States for the COVID-19 vaccines that it recently granted to Jordan, noting that this issue helps the Kingdom in its efforts to confront the pandemic.

In his concluding remarks, His Majesty praised the United States’ continued support to the Kingdom including the U.S, administration, the Congress and the people, expressing his conviction that there is serious work that the two countries will do once again.

For her part, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi expressed her happiness over the presence of His Majesty again in the Capitol, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

Pelosi recalled her recent visit chairing a delegation to the Kingdom prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the dialogue with His Majesty focused on the region’s security and stability, peace in the Middle East, and issues related to economic growth and resilience.

She expressed her gratitude to His Majesty and Jordan for receiving a large number of Syrian refugees.

Pelosi praised level of the Jordan-US relations by saying: “The United States is grateful for this relationship and I’m personally proud to have worked with King Hussein, may God have mercy on him, and King Abdullah II, and I know that he adds a great deal of knowledge, intelligence, strategic thinking, and values to the discussions that take place between us. We always learn a lot from him, and we are very happy that he is with us today at the Capitol.”

During His Majesty’s meeting with the U.S. House of Representatives leaderships, the historical friendship that brings together Jordan and the United States was highlighted, as well as, programs implemented by Jordan to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A wide range of regional issues were discussed, where His Majesty stressed the need to re-launch peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis based on the two-state solution which will lead to establish an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state on the 4 June 196and lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On Iraq, His Majesty stressed the need to support Baghdad’s efforts in enhancing security and stability.

On Syria, His Majesty noted the importance of intensifying the international efforts to reach a political solution that preserves unity of Syria and its people and guarantees the safe return of refugees, underscoring the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities toward the refugees and the hosting communities.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Director of His Majesty’s Office, and the Kingdom’s Ambassador in Washington.

Source: Jordan News Agency