King of Jordan praises ties with UAE

Amman - July 4, 2008 (WAM) - His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan has expressed appreciation to the GCC countries, including the UAE, for their continuous support to his country's economy.

King Abdullah said in an interview with Jordan News Agency (Petra) that
although like all nations around the world, Jordan had suffered from the
problem of high prices, "we are in fact in a better position than most
countries, even those with more natural resources." "Like my father before
me, I have always invested a lot of time and energy to have warm and
brotherly relations with all Arab countries and especially Gulf countries.

And thank God there is an amazing amount of goodwill towards Jordan from our
brothers in the Gulf, and for that I am very proud and grateful. Unlike a
few years ago, when oil prices were very low, today our brothers from the
Gulf have tremendous means and a sincere will to help us."

He praised UAE's continuous support to Jordan and referred to the investment
made by a UAE company in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).
"ASEZA never got an attractive price for the current port that would enable
it to build a new one. After some sites were proposed as investment
opportunities for our brothers in the Arab Gulf, agreement was reached to
invest in this port to cover the amount needed to pay the debt. The idea
was to convince them not to look at this in purely commercial and investment
terms, but as a way to help Jordan in these very difficult times; to
consider it as part investment and part aid.

"As always, our brothers from the UAE came through for us, and for that, we
are extremely grateful," he said.