PM, Iraqi interior minister discuss cooperation

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh on Sunday met with Iraqi Interior Minister Othman Ghanimi and an accompanying delegation.

Interior Minister Mazen Faraiah and Iraq’s Ambassador to Jordan Haider Al Athari attended the meeting, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, Khasawneh underlined the deep-rooted relations between Jordan and Iraq and his keenness to strengthen cooperation to serve the two countries’ common interests.

The prime minister referred to His Majesty King Abdullah’s continuous directives that focus on bolstering cooperation with Iraq and the Jordanian-Iraqi-Egyptian tripartite cooperation, which will serve the Arab interests.

Khasawneh referred to the joint projects that are currently underway, most notably the project to extend the Iraqi oil pipeline from Basra to Aqaba in order to reach Egypt, the establishment of an industrial zone on the border between the countries, in addition to energy projects. 

The prime minister reiterated Jordan’s support to Iraq’s reconstruction process, stressing that the security and stability of Iraq is as integral to that of the Kingdom.

The Iraqi interior minister praised the level of security coordination between the sides. He stressed that the borders between the countries have remained stable and secure despite the challenges imposed by the presence of terrorist groups in several Iraqi regions.

Ghanimi stressed that the situation in Iraq is stable and secure, allowing for a move towards reconstruction. He expressed Iraq's aspiration for Jordanian companies to contribute to the reconstruction process in Iraq.

He noted that authorities have completed all arrangements for holding the parliamentary elections on October 10. He stressed that the Iraqi parliamentary elections will witness the presence of international observers and international media.

Athari conveyed the greetings of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi and highlighted the historical relations between Jordan and Iraq. He pointed to Iraq's keenness to develop and strengthen its relations with Jordan in all fields.