Jordan, EU sign 40-mln-euro grant deal

Jordan and the European Union (EU) on Sunday signed a 40 million euros (52 million U.S. dollars) grant agreement, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The grant will be allocated to finance government projects in fields of development and good governance, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Jafar Hassan said, according to Petra. The grant will help improve political, economic, social and legislative reforms in the Kingdom, the minister said, adding that the private sector will be supported. Half of the amount will be given to Jordan before the end of the year, while the rest will be transferred in 2013, said the minister. In September, Jordan and the EU has signed grants deals worth 20 million euros (26 million dollars).