Prime Minister Hani Mulki Tuesday stressed the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States as he welcomed a delegation of US Congressional leaders.

During the meeting, attended by State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani and State Minister for Legal Affairs Bishr Al Khasawneh, Mulki said Jordan appreciates US aid, which helps the Kingdom to alleviate economic burdens, support the budget and carry out development projects.

The prime minister reviewed the repercussions of regional instability on Jordan, particularly the Syrian crisis as the Kingdom hosts 1.3 million Syrian refugees, which placed enormous pressure on available resources, the budget and education, health, water and infrastructure in addition to the armed forces and security agencies, which had undertaken an exceptional national effort.

The regional crises, he said, had a negative impact on the Jordanian economy as border closures severely hit exports to foreign markets and exacerbated the economic challenges the Kingdom is facing.

In this context, Mulki outlined the government measures to prop up the economy, mainly a five-year plan aimed at stimulating growth in a host of vital sectors and reducing foreign debt. The blueprint, which was adopted earlier this month, would boost the structural financial and economic programme, enhance investments and increase their revenues which will create jobs and also help to raise income.

He said energy was the biggest sector to impact debt as dependence on heavy fuel by electricity generation stations had sent the national electricity company’s debt soaring from JD800 million to JD5 billion.

Mulki also spoke about the situation in the region and anti-terrorism efforts, stressing that the failure to find a fair solution to the Palestinian issue would deny the region security and stability, which are the key to achieving development and prosperity.

The prime minister said Jordan believes that the Palestinian problem is the core issue in the Middle East and the root cause of regional crises. He also stressed the Kingdom upholds a holistic strategy to combat terrorism, which involves not only military action, but an ideological effort as well to fight the dark ideology and dry up the sources of terrorism.