Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of State for Media Affairs, Government Spokesperson, Jumana Ghneimat, said the results of the investigation into the tobacco case has proved the country's permanent message of the seriousness in fighting corruption.

The minister made the remarks during a press conference held on Thursday at the Prime Ministry, and noted the latest developments in the tobacco case and the apprehension of a number of defendants are an indication of the state's seriousness in combating corruption and strengthening efforts of the institutions concerned to follow up to this end.

On the economic situation, Ghneimat said Jordan is moving in the right direction, although it is "winding and difficult," adding "there are signs that the process is economically correct, where debt has fallen by 0.03pct, and growth rate of exports rose by 3pct."

The Prime Minister's tours, which recently included Turkey, Iraq, Washington and now Davos, aim to open up opportunities for the national economy and seek to bring investment and encourage exports, she said.

In this context, she noted the government is continuing to support the development efforts, highlight the government's economic programs, offer investment opportunities and improve the legislative investor environment.

She stressed the government's keenness to continue efforts to ease burdens on the economy and to improve life of the Jordanian citizen.

On Timna Airport, which Israel built adjacent to the borders, she said Jordan rejects its construction, adding Israel had not met international standards in this regard and the Kingdom has forwarded a request to push Tel Aviv to adhere to int'l criteria and to prevent any unilateral operation of the new facility.

On the Syrian crisis, she said: "There are joint Jordanian coordination and Jordanian-American and Russian discussions focused on preserving Jordan's security, stopping the internal Syrian conflict and reaching a political solution in Syria."