LOC11:18
08:18 GMT
AMMAN, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Naser Judeh expressed
hope on Sunday his country would soon be joining the six-nation Gulf
Cooperation Council, but did not explain the kind of membership it would be
assuming.
Speaking to Jordan's Al-Ghad newspaper, he refused to put a timeframe to
these aspirations, but noted that the arrangements were going according to
plan.
He described any partnership that would eventually occur as strategic,
ruling out that this had anything to do with the political and social changes
or the balance of power in the region.
A fund for his country along with Morocco, established by the GCC, is set
to be increased by USD 2.5 billion and a meeting is set to be held to discuss
allocating the amount.
The constantly irregular flow of Egyptian gas to his country and the rise
of global oil prices have led to a huge economic problem in Jordan, with the
country facing a deficit of USD 3.5 billion, last year, which is why the
support comes at a time most needed, Judeh concluded. (end)
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KUNA 191118 Feb 12NNNN