Iraq, Jordan to strengthen relations

Iraq and Jordan on Wednesday reaffirmed commitment to the efforts aiming to strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy, commerce, energy, security, transportation and banking. In a joint press conference by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and his Jordanian counterpart Abdullah Ensour the two sides said they will reactivate the deals on building an oil pipeline from Iraq to Jordan; linking their railway and road networks; hooking up their national power grids; scaling up the joint combat against terrorism; and promoting educational cooperation. "One again we welcome Prime Minister Ensour and the delegation of sisterly Jordan to the session of the joint higher commission," Al-Maliki said. "This session, building on the outcomes of the last session hosted by Amman last year, explored the new horizons of cooperation in various fields," he pointed out. "We have discussed a host of issues and agreed to speed up the construction of an Iraqi oil pipeline to Jordan's Aqaba port," he said, noting that the project serves the interests of both neighbors. Al-Maliki noted that the planned construction of a freight railway network will give momentum to the trade exchanges not only between the two countries but among all countries of the region as well. He added that the two sides also agreed to settle some issues commercial disputes through cooperation between the central banks and ministries of finance of both countries. On his part, Ensour thanked the Iraqi government for releasing a number of Jordanian detainees in the framework of an agreement on security cooperation. He added that he conveyed a message from King Abdullah II, of Jordan, to Al-Maliki. Ensour arrived here earlier today, leading a large senior-level delegation on an official one-day visit to Iraq.