Jordan says to increase cooperation with Iraq

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Monday stressed on the strategic ties with Iraq, saying there is a large room for increased collaboration in various areas.

At a meeting with a delegation of Iraqi officials and businessmen, the Jordanian prime minister said Jordan's ties with Iraq are solid and built on respect.

"Jordan has been always keen to strengthen its ties with Iraq. We support Iraq and its people in their choices," said Ensour.

The prime minister said Jordan does not interfere in the affairs of its neighboring countries, calling for increased cooperation between the two sides.

He said the Jordanian government is willing to increase incentives for Iraqi businessmen to help boost trade between the two countries.

Iraqi lawmakers and officials during the meeting hailed ties with Jordan in various areas, stressing on the importance of following up on recommendations resulting from the meetings of the Jordanian-Iraqi business council that was held in Amman on Sunday.

They also said the reopening of Iraq's crossing border with Jordan will help boost trade between the two countries.

Jordan's exports to Iraq in 2015 dropped by 46 percent to 690 million dinars (about one billion U.S. dollars), compared to 1.1 billion dinars in 2014.

Source: XINHUA