Amman:Jordan and Iraq have signed nine agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors. The signing was witnessed by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and his Iraqi counterpart Ali Zaidi on Monday.
According to Jordan News Agency, the agreements focus on diplomatic cooperation, competition and antitrust, consumer protection, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, documents and manuscripts, higher education and scientific research, education, and environmental protection.
Prime Minister Hassan emphasized the need for Jordan and Iraq to transition joint economic projects from planning to implementation with clear timelines. He highlighted the opportunity to elevate economic cooperation in energy, industry, transportation, trade, and logistics to match their strong political ties. Hassan also stressed the importance of Iraq's security and stability to Jordan and the broader region, advocating for stronger consultation and coordination among Arab countries amidst evolving regional challenges.
Hassan expressed Jordan's opposition to Israeli policies in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, which he believes undermine prospects for a Palestinian state. He reiterated Jordan’s commitment to working with Arab and international partners to counter these measures and emphasized the importance of keeping Palestinians on their land to safeguard their rights.
Moreover, Hassan pledged support for Syria and Lebanon in their pursuit of security and development, condemning repeated Israeli actions against them.
Iraqi Prime Minister Zaidi described Jordan as a strategic partner, affirming Baghdad's commitment to enhancing cooperation in all sectors. He acknowledged the shared responsibility of security between the two nations and the need for closer coordination.
The two leaders discussed mechanisms for completing major joint projects in areas such as energy, transport, and security, agreeing to establish a monitoring mechanism to oversee implementation and coordination efforts.