King, Iraqi PM discuss ties, Iraq post-terror vision

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi on Sunday discussed ties between the two countries, as the eastern neighbour is gearing up for a post-Daesh rebuild drive.

A Royal Court statement said that His Majesty and Abadi held a one-on-one meeting that was followed by an expanded session of talks attended by senior officials from both sides, including Prime Minister Hani Mulki.

King Abdullah, who congratulated Baghdad for a series of victories in the war against the Daesh terror group, renewed Jordan’s full support for Iraq as it endeavours to consolidate its security, territorial integrity and coherence of its people, in line with the country’s constitution. 

He said that building a safe, stable and unified Iraq is a pillar of regional security, vowing that Jordan places all its capabilities at the hands of Iraq to help the country evolve into a prosperous state that meets the needs of its people and strengthen pan-Arab positions. 

For his part, Abadi briefed His Majesty on the “significant victories the Iraqi army made in the fight against Daesh terrorist gang and Iraq’s vision for the future of the region, which is based on development and security instead of rifts and wars”.

Meanwhile, Mulki met separately with his Iraqi counterpart over bilateral ties and regional developments, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Mulki also congratulated the Iraqi leader for the success in their anti-terror fight and pledged full support for Iraq.

The two officials discussed the reopening of the Turaibil border crossing after three years of closure and went over the list of Jordanian products that Amman has requested to be exempted from a 30 per cent levy imposed by Baghdad on imported commodities after the Jordanian side completed compiling the list, which will be submitted to technical committees for endorsement.

The two sides also discussed progress in a plan to extend an oil pipe from Basra in Iraq to Jordan’s Aqaba Port. 

Abadi returned home after concluding the several-hour visit.