Iraq gives Jordan priority in development projects

AMMAN — Jordan will be given priority in participating in all development projects implemented in Iraq, according to a senior Iraqi official.

The remarks were made in a message from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to Prime Minister Hani Mulki, conveyed by Iraqi Transport Minister Kathem Hamami during a meeting with Mulki in Amman on Thursday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The message also included an invitation from Abadi to Mulki to visit Baghdad.

The Iraqi minister briefed the premier on an Iraqi Cabinet recent decision to form a committee tasked with implementing measures necessary to open the land borders between the two countries.

Jordan's borders with Syria and Iraq have been closed due to security conditions in the Kingdom's northern and eastern neighbours. 

Hamami also said that he was scheduled, later in the day, to visit  the Safwan border crossing between Iraq and Kuwait, which Jordanian trucks have been  using to export goods to Iraq after the closure of Iraq’s Turaibil border crossing with the Kingdom.

In this regard, he pledged to solve all obstacles facing Jordanian exports to Baghdad, and lower customs fees, Petra added.

Mulki and Hamami discussed means for Iraq to benefit from Aqaba Port and accrediting it as a main conduit for Iraqi exports and imports.