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Jordan urges Gulf countries to renew oil grant to overcome economic challenges, boost stability
AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Monday delivered a written letter by His Majesty King Abdullah to Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, in which he highlighted the depth of bilateral relations and strategic partnership, a Royal Court statement said.
In the letter, King Abdullah voiced his appreciation of Sheikh Sabah and Kuwait's supportive stances towards Jordan, stressing the importance of continued coordination over regional issues.
For his part, Sheikh Sabah said Jordan's security and stability matters to Kuwait, noting that his country will stand with the Kingdom in facing economic challenges.
The Kuwaiti emir added that he is going to direct the Kuwaiti Investment Authority (KIA) to contribute to economic projects in Jordan.
The Kuwaiti leader added that he would ask the foreign minister, who heads KIA, to visit Jordan and evaluate projects offered for investment.
For his part, Fayez voiced appreciation for the Kuwaiti emir’s support, especially in light of the difficult economic conditions facing the Kingdom resulting from the instability in the region.
Kuwaiti investments in Jordan have reached $12 billion, according to official figures.
He said that despite the political turmoil in the region, Jordan has been able to preserve its national and social fabric, which made it politically powerful, but it still faces economic challenges because of the regional crises due to the international community’s failure to fulfil its commitments towards Syrian refugees.
As the Syrian crisis continues without political solutions in the horizon or hope for Syrian refugees to return home, Jordan will need all the support it can get to continue performing its humanitarian role in taking care of these refugees and combating terrorism, Fayez said.
Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Jordanian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Al Kayed and Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Hamad Saleh Al Duaij also attended the meeting.
Also on Monday, Fayez met with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, who commended the advanced level of bilateral relations in all fields, especially the political, economic and social fields.
They also discussed the regional situation, with Fayez remarking that Jordan rejects any intervention in the Gulf’s affairs by any party, in an apparent reference to Iran.
The Senate president said that King Abdullah considers the security and stability of Gulf countries as part of Jordan’s security, stressing that investment in the Kingdom is an investment in Jordan’s national security and that of the Arab nation and Gulf countries.
He urged Gulf countries, Kuwait in particular, to boost the strategic partnership and further serve mutual interests to promote stability, and urged them to renew the oil grant to Jordan, hoping that Kuwait could help in this matter.
The Gulf Cooperation Council grant will have a positive impact on Jordan in reducing poverty and unemployment, Fayez said, adding that it will help employ workers, especially young people, which helps them steer clear from terrorist groups.
Fayez is scheduled to meet various Kuwaiti officials on Tuesday as part of his official visit.
© Jordan Times 2016
