PM meets Iraq agriculture minister

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Sunday met with Iraqi Agriculture Minister Falah Al Luhaibi and an accompanying delegation to follow up on the joint Jordanian-Iraqi higher committee meetings that were held at the beginning of this year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the meeting, attended by Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat, Mulki voiced Jordan's support to Iraq in preserving its stability and security as well as in its efforts to combat terrorism. 

The premier voiced the Kingdom's interest in boosting relations with Iraq, referring to a phone call he made last week with his Iraqi counterpart Haider Al Abadi, stressing Jordan's interest in reopening the Trebil border, which he said will increase trade.

Mulki also highlighted the importance of accelerating the implementation of the agreement on the lists of Jordanian commodities that can be exempted from customs fees upon entry to Iraq. 

For his part, Luhaibi said that discussions held with Hneifat resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the agriculture field, including the implementation of an executive programme.

He also said that they agreed to boost direct communication and that on Sunday he took the decision to allow the importation of tomatoes from Jordan.

Luhaibi also voiced Iraq's willingness to boost cooperation with Jordan in the agricultural field, especially regarding pesticides and  phosphate fertilisers from Jordan, in addition to research and exchange of expertise between the countries.