Jordan Fails To Secure Release Of Prisoners In Iraq, Signs Trade Agreement

2009-09-05

Jordanian Prime Minister Nader Dahabi paid a whirlwind visit to Baghdad on Thursday during which the two countries signed a free trade agreement, which Jordan hoped would serve as a catalyst for boosting bilateral trade ties, the official Petra news agency reported.

Dahabi, who held talks with his Iraqi counterpart Nuri Al-Maliki, expressed his country’s desire to establish “strategic ties” with Iraq, Jordan’s top trade partner for almost two decades. He pointed out that merchandise between Jordan and Iraq almost doubled in the first six months of 2009 to $489 million compared with $262 million in the same period of 2008.

“We aspire to see this figure doubled again when obstacles to the flow of goods and movement of people are removed,” said Dahabi.

The Jordanian prime minister also pressed the Iraqi side for doubling its crude oil exports to Jordan from 10,000 to 20,000 barrels per day, saying the quantity could be increased in future when the oil pipeline between Kirkuk and Banias was repaired to facilitate the delivery of crude to Jordan through the pipelines rather than by trucks.

Jordan and Iraq signed an agreement in 2006 under which Baghdad pledged to supply the kingdom with crude oil at preferential prices, but security problems so far prevented a smooth implementation of the accord.

Dahabi appeared to have failed to ensure the release of 50 Jordanians currently held at Iraqi jails. “We all know that the law should take its due course,” Dahabi was quoted as saying at the joint press conference with Al-Maliki.

He said Jordanian prisoners in Iraq were classified into three categories - terrorists, those who committed administrative violations and suspects.

“We have agreed that the files of suspects and those accused of committing administrative violations will be addressed as soon as possible,” said Dahabi.

Source: Free Internet Press.
Link: http://freeinternetpress.com/story.php?sid=22789.