Politics, fundamentalism prevented economic deals with Iraq

Jordan's Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said that "political circumstances and the growth of fundamentalism in the region" were to blame for the failure to complete several economic deals with Iraq.
During talks with the visiting president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq party Ammar Al-Hakim, he said these projects included "a railway, an oil pipeline, trade routes and other strategic projects that could have presented an opportunity for further cooperation had they been executed." On the political scale, he pledged Jordan's commitment to the choices of the Iraqi people in all its sects. Ensour also said that Jordan will offer all of its capabilities at the disposal of the Iraqi people, according to a statement.
For his part, the Iraqi lawmaker urged the need for a timed and detailed comprehensive strategic partnership between both nations.
"Now is the time more than ever for this (cooperation agreement)," he underlined, sensing there was "determination and urgency" between the sides.
"Jordan can make use of economic opportunities and capabilities that Iraq provides in respect of mutual interests," he added.
On security challenges in the region, he said that both nations were "partners" in the fight against terrorism, and that both faced the challenge of being targetted.
His meeting with the Jordanian prime minister came following an encounter with King Abdullah II.
Source: KUNA