By Xinhua
Amman : Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and visiting Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi held talks here Sunday on bilateral relations between the two countries.
According to the official statement, Bakhit told Abdel Mahdi that Jordan “will not spare an effort to support Iraq in areas related to infrastructure and investments, as bilateral cooperation is a strategic goal for both countries.”
Bakhit also expressed Jordan’s keenness to support efforts to realize security, unity and prosperity of Iraq, adding Jordan supports the political process and efforts designed to overcome the current crisis in Iraq.
“The arrival of an Iraqi oil shipment to Jordan proves that Iraq is capable of exporting its products,” Bakhit was quoted by the statement as saying.
For his part, Abdel Mahdi hailed Jordan’s supportive stance to Iraq, noting that the gradual improvement in security and trade situation in Iraq and measure taken to develop the Iraqi economy will contribute to the reconstruction process.
The Iraqi Vice President arrived in Amman on Saturday on the third leg of his regional tour that also took him to Egypt and Syria.
In press statements, Abdel Mahdi said that his visit comes within the frame of continuous cooperation and coordination between the two countries, adding that there are many files and issues that need to be followed up.
His visit coincided with arrival of the first Iraqi oil shipment of eight trucks last Friday after the collapse of the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein.
According to the Jordanian officials, the initial shipment will cover 10 percent of Jordan’s energy requirements. At a later stage, it will cover 30 percent of the requirements with additional shipments.