Jordan renews support for Iraq in its fight against terror

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi on Sunday discussed international and regional efforts exerted to confront the dangers of terrorist groups and their radical ideologies.

Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Abadi met separately to discuss in detail bilateral relations, with a focus on economic cooperation.

During a one-on-one meeting with Abbadi, who arrived here on an official visit on Sunday, King Abdullah stressed Jordan’s support for the international coalition in confronting terrorist groups and radical ideologies targeting the region’s security, stability, countries and people, a Royal Court statement said. 

The Monarch reiterated Jordan’s full support to Iraqis in their endeavours to regain Iraq’s security and stability, deemed “crucial for regional security and stability”. 

At the meeting, followed by a broader meeting attended by Ensour and senior officials, the King highlighted the importance of the unity of Iraq and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to standing by the brotherly nation and helping build and empowering Iraq to bolster its national unity and achieve reconciliation among the various components of the Iraqi people. 

Addressing the latest developments in Syria, the King and Abbadi stressed the importance of arriving at a comprehensive political solution to the crisis there, in a manner that guarantees the territorial integrity of Syria and the unity of its people. 

The two sides also reviewed ways to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, especially in economic and investment areas as well as in the energy and transport sectors.

Iraq’s prime minister stressed his country’s commitment to maintaining coordination and consultation with the Kingdom, regarding all issues in a way that cements two-way relations in various fields and serves the best interests of the Jordanian and the Iraqi people. 

Also on Sunday, top Jordanian and Iraqi officials held a session that tackled bilateral relations and ways to develop them at all levels.

At Ensour’s meeting with Abadi and the accompanying delegation at the Prime Ministry, the officials discussed ways to activate joint agreements and overcome challenges that hinder progress in mutual cooperation, especially in trade exchange under the free trade agreement signed between the two countries. 

They discussed the proposed oil pipeline between the two countries, where Aqaba Port becomes a strategic point to export Iraqi oil and provide Jordan with part of its oil needs.

They stressed their commitment to implementing the vital project, with the Jordanian side suggesting importing Iraqi oil via marine routes, as land shipments stopped in early this year due to the security situation in Iraq. Jordan used to get oil from Iraq at preferential prices.

Discussions also tackled the issue of Jordanian prisoners in Iraq, as 12 inmates remain there after the recent release of five. The Jordanian side suggested releasing them under a special pardon or applying the Riyadh Agreement stipulating that they can complete their jail sentences in Jordan, except those convicted of terrorism.  

Discussions covered outstanding debts, in addition to allowing Royal Jordanian to increase its flights to Iraq, developing railway networks and improving the highway connecting the two countries. 

Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Hatem Halawani, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani, Energy Minister Mohammad Hamed, Public Works and Housing Minister Sami Halaseh, Jordanian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Quraan and Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Jawad Hadi Abbas attended the meeting.

In joint statements to the press at Marka Military Airport before the visiting premier left home, Ensour stressed Jordan’s respect for the will of the Iraqi people and their decisions. 

“We do not interfere in the domestic issues of Iraq. This has been our fixed position and it does not change with the changing of governments as our relation is with one Iraq,” he said. 

Regarding training Iraqi police forces, Ensour said Jordan has one of the best training centres for police, noting that the Kingdom has trained 63,000 Iraqi security personnel so far. He stressed Jordan’s readiness to assist Iraq in securing its training needs. 

Abadi said that part of the discussions held on Sunday was on the terror challenge, besides economic and commercial files. 

Talks addressed terrorist threats facing Iraq, he said, noting that the terrorism, which “came to Iraq through its borders with Syria”, has plagued several Iraqi cities, led to many tragedies and resulted in many victims that the Iraqis have paid the price for. 

“We are fighting the enemy and there is an understanding between the citizens, the military and the security force to combat IS,” he added.