Relations between Jordan, Kuwait restore normalcy, minister says

Jordanian Foreign Minister Abd al-Ilah al-Khatib has stated that Jordanian-Kuwaiti relations have regained their strength and been restored to what had been before.

In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am published on Tuesday, al-Khatib said there is care to maintain contacts "with our brothers in Kuwait." He added that King Abdullah will visit Kuwait in the coming phase.

On the other hand, the Jordanian minister described on Tuesday King Abdullah's visit to Saudi Arabia as successful by all measures. In a statement to the BBC aired on Tuesday, al-Khatib added that this visit was an occasion to reveal the two countries' determination to revive their bilateral cooperation in various areas, especially in the economic field, specifically in trade and investment.

He expressed hopes that the coming phase will witness a starting point for greater cooperation "between the two sisterly countries on all levels." He indicated great closeness in mutually-debated viewpoints toward matters highlighted during the talks between King Abdullah and the Saudi officials, especially the Middle East peace process and its impediments at the meantime.

Al-Khatib asserted that relations between Jordan and all of the GCC states are firm and solid, and great care is taken by all sides concerned to develop these relations.