Jordan Times
Sunday, September 6, 2009
PM reiterates Jordan’s
support for Iraq’s stability, sovereignty
AMMAN (JT) –– Prime Minister Nader Dahabi reiterated Jordan’s support for Iraq’s
stability and sovereignty during a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani
in Suleimaniya on Thursday.
Dahabi also delivered His Majesty King Abdullah’s greetings to the Iraqi leader,
the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The two officials stressed the importance of bolstering bilateral ties and
increasing cooperation in all fields.
Talabani highlighted King Abdullah’s support for Iraq’s political process and
the country’s efforts to bring about peace and stability.
The Iraqi president also commended the King’s directives to send a military
aircraft to airlift 19 Iraqis who were injured in a recent bombing that targeted
the Iraqi foreign ministry headquarters in Baghdad.
Earlier on Thursday, the premier met with his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Maliki and
discussed the possibility of increasing the quantities of oil that Jordan
imports from Iraq.
At a joint press conference with Maliki, Dahabi expressed hope that the amount
will increase gradually from the current 10,000 barrels a day to 15,000-20,000
barrels daily.
He added that Jordan will be able to receive further quantities of oil once
maintenance work on the Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline is completed.
Also on Thursday, during the Joint Jordanian-Iraqi Higher Committee meetings in
Baghdad, the two countries signed an agreement to set up a free trade zone in a
bid to increase the volume of trade exchange.
They also signed a cooperation agreement in the field of animal health.
The agreements followed a session of wide-ranging talks attended by government
officials from both countries, who agreed to hold the meetings of the joint
higher committee every six months instead of yearly.
Earlier in the day, Dahabi met with Maliki to discuss means of strengthening
relations between the two countries in all spheres.
During the talks, the two officials reiterated their joint commitment to foster
Jordanian-Iraqi relations, especially in the fields of economy and trade and to
eliminate any impediments that may hamper the goals and interests of the two
nations.
Discussions at the meetings also covered outstanding debts and other financial
issues, the premier said, noting that a committee including the two countries'
finance ministers and central bank governors will be formed to follow up on and
finalise these issues.
According to media reports, the Iraqi central bank’s debts to its Jordanian
counterpart are estimated at more than $1 billion, while Jordanian businessmen
claim around $135 million is owed by parties in the eastern neighbouring
country.