By NNN-Petra,
Baghdad : Jordan’s King Abdullah II has reaffirmed strong support for Iraq’s security and stability, essential for the security and stability in the Arab world.
King Abdullah made his remarks during talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Iraqi Vice-President Adel Abdel Mahdi here Monday.
“Jordan stands at equal distance from all components of the Iraqi people,” said the King, who arrived in Baghdad earlier in the day on a brief working visit to Iraq.
He noted that uniting efforts of all Iraqis, Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds with all their political spectra and arranging their internal front, is the only way to build a united Iraq as a sovereign state capable of serving its people and nation.
The King explained that Iraq would always remain an advocate of the Arab nations’ causes and urged all Arab states and peoples to lend their support to Iraq at this particular time because a powerful Iraq is a source of strength for the Arab nation.
Jordan, His Majesty added, is very keen on consolidating relations with Iraq and assisting the Iraqi people to surmount the challenges facing their country so as to be able to restore its pivotal role in both the Arab and international scenes.
To that end, King Abdullah noted Jordan’s recent decision to appoint an ambassador to Iraq.
He described the step as a strong push to further cement relations with the Iraqi brothers.
The King hoped his visit to Baghdad will be followed by exchanged visits between officials from the two countries to discuss ways to develop bilateral relations in various fields.
The King’s talks with top Iraqi officials covered ways to encourage private sectors in each other’s country to explore new areas for launching joint projects.
King Abdullah stressed the necessity to build on the outcome of the Jordanian-Iraqi Higher Committee meeting held recently in Amman.
The King and Iraqi premier also discussed the existing economic and trade relations which can be developed to the best interest of the peoples in the two countries.
An Iraqi oil supply to cover part of Jordan’s oil demand was also a topic on the agenda.
Maliki welcomed the royal visit to his country describing it as a positive and advanced step to strengthen ties between the two countries and it opens the door for other Arab countries to develop relations with Iraq.
The Iraqi Vice-President affirmed his country’s interest to promote relations with its Arab neighbours to contribute to activating the joint Arab action.
Maliki and Mahdi appreciated King Abdullah’s diligent efforts to assist the Iraqi people to overcome the current difficult circumstance and build a country capable of addressing the aspirations of its people for a better future.
During the visit, King Abdullah was updated on the Iraqi government’s efforts to enhance Iraq’s stability and security and foster national reconciliation between all political powers in the country.