King Abdullah II meets with French officials in Paris

His Majesty King Abdullah II met in Paris on Wednesday with President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone and discussed means of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the parliamentary and legislative fields. The King reviewed steps that have been taken by Jordan to achieve comprehensive reform, expand public participation in decision making and enable all Jordanians to shape their future in the political, economic and social fields. His Majesty expressed appreciation of France's support to Jordan's reform process, highlighting opportunities available to benefit from the French experience in this domain. He also pointed to the role that could be played by the French National Assembly in assisting Jordan to develop it parliamentary experience, particularly that Jordan will have a new parliament early next year. "The Arab Spring will at the end be positive for all countries and peoples of the region and I look to the future with optimism, the King added during the meeting, which was also attended by His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammad, Chief Advisor to the King for Religious and Cultural Affairs and the King's Personal Envoy, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Director of the King's Office Imad Fakhoury. The King said that both Jordan and France see eye-to-eye on various issues, mainly the situation in the Middle East. His Majesty stressed the role of France in helping the Palestinians and Israelis to return to the negotiating table to address all final status issue, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel. Regarding the situation in Syria, the King expressed Jordan's concern over the escalating violence in Syria and its reflection on neighboring countries, noting that Jordan support a political solution to the Syrian crisis that put an end to the suffering of Syrians. Bartolone hailed the King's reform efforts as well as steps taken by Jordan to acheive reforms and development in various fields. He also hailed the King's vision for dealing with the Arab Spring as well as steps taken by Jordan to bring about reforms that fulfill aspirations of Jordanians. His Majesty also met with a number of French political, economic, media, and intellectual figures at the International Diplomatic Academy during which he briefed them on Jordan's reform process and the latest developments in the Middle East. During the meeting, he said that Jordan's political reform process has reached an advanced stage, noting that it will be culminated in holding parliamentary elections later this year. In reply to questions, the King said that he is the guarantor of reform in Jordan, adding that there is a political will to press ahead with reforms in the Kingdom. King Abdullah highlighted the importance of the French role in pushing peace between the Palestinians and Israelis forward, leading the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian national soil. On Syria, the King stressed the need to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis, adding that Jordan supports efforts of the UN-Arab League Envoy to Syria Kofi Annan to end bloodshed and violence and preserve Syria's unity. Secretary General of the academy Jean-Claude Cousseran hailed Jordan's pivotal role to acheive stability in the regions. His Majesty started a private visit at the conclusion of his two-day working visit to France.