His Majesty King Abdullah II met in Washington on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, with members of the US Congress, Senate leaders led by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, heads and members of Armed Forces Committees, Foreign Relations in the Senate, as well as the Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives. 

During the meeting, members of the US Congress stressed their keenness to consolidate Jordan-US relations, which they described as solid.

They also stressed their keenness on Jordan's progress and prosperity in order to achieve stability, as Jordan has an important role in the region.

"We always need to listen to the wisdom and visions of His Majesty the King. His Majesty's continued efforts to achieve stability in the region are appreciated," the members said, praising Jordan's influential role in dealing with regional issues.

During the meetings, which focused on the strategic partnership between the two countries and developments in the region, His Majesty stressed the importance of this partnership and his keenness to expand joint cooperation in various political, economic and military fields.

King Abdullah expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the United States to the Kingdom and for the American participation in the recent London Initiative conference to support the Jordanian economy. His Majesty also praised the positions of the US Congress with the two senators and deputies supporting Jordan.

The meeting reviewed economic plans and reforms implemented by Jordan in order to stimulate economic growth and job creation, as the Jordanian economy was also affected by the crises in the region.

In terms of the regional situation, His Majesty reviewed Jordan's positions on various issues in the region during the meetings with the committees, which include new members, and stressed the need to intensify international efforts to achieve peace and enhance security and stability in the region.

King Abdullah emphasized that there is no security and stability in the region without reaching a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty highlighted the importance of preserving the status quo in Jerusalem, warning of the continued Israeli escalation in Jerusalem and its consequences for achieving peace.

In terms of the Syrian crisis, His Majesty called on the need to reach a political solution to the crisis, which preserves Syria and its people and ensures a safe return for the refugees.

The meetings focused on regional and international efforts in the war on terror, within the framework of a comprehensive strategy, and a Jordan-US cooperation in this regard.

The meetings were attended by the Jordanian Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs and the Jordanian Ambassador to Washington.

During interviews following the meetings, US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed the strength of historic ties with Jordan, adding that the meeting represented an important opportunity to discuss issues of mutual concern, the challenge of terrorism and a number of regional crises and challenges, as well as reviewing the burdens of the Syrian refugee crisis on Jordan for years.

"I would like to emphasize here that our relations with Jordan are solid, and the US continues to support and stand by Jordanians," Mcconnell said.

"His Majesty the King has a deep understanding of what is going on in the Middle East and enjoys high credibility in Congress," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee.

"Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, represents an important stabilizing factor in the region. Despite the difficulties facing the US budget, we are unanimous in the importance of increasing economic aid to Jordan," Graham added.

The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Richard Shelby, said that the meeting with His Majesty was important in terms of strengthening Jordan-US relations, adding that there is a friendship between the two countries for a long time that both parties want to strengthen.

"We are aware of the difficult situation surrounding Jordan, and we are keen to keep Jordan strong and a haven of stability.

For his part, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jim Rich, said that His Majesty has an influential role in the US because he wants peace and seeks to achieve it in the region.

"We are always keen to listen to his views on the issues and developments of the region," Rich added.