Jordan, Iraq mull shared industrial estate on border

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Omar Razzaz and Iraqi Defence Minister Irfan Hayali on Monday discussed the possibility of establishing a joint free industrial estate at the Jordanian-Iraqi border.

Razzaz highlighted the “deep-rooted” relations between Jordan and Iraq and expressed keenness to enhance cooperation, in a way that serves both countries’ interests, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The premier also referred to His Majesty King Abdullah’s directives to the government to expand cooperation with Baghdad.

For his part, Hayali conveyed Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al Abbadi’s wish for more cooperation and openness in all civil and military fields.

The minister also underlined the security agreement that both countries signed on Sunday on border protection, counterterrorism and intelligence capacity building.

The agreement aims at exchanging expertise and information on border protection, improving intelligence capabilities, holding joint military exercises, research and technology development, combating all forms of terrorism, training and development in addition to strengthening field capabilities.

The Razzaz-Hayali meeting also focused on means to reactivate the Turaibil border crossing between the two countries and, after finalising security issues, enhance commercial and investment exchange between Amman and Baghdad, according to Petra.