AMMAN — Iraqi President Barham Saleh on Thursday stressed the importance continuing efforts to enhance Jordanian-Iraqi ties during a meeting with Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh.

 

The Iraqi president said that enhancing relations between the two countries requires great efforts at the official level as well as efforts at the grass-root level, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

Tarawneh and an accompanying parliamentary delegation, in the presence of the Jordanian Ambassador to Iraq Muntaser Oqlah and the Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Safia Suhail, held a meeting with Barham in Iraq.

 

The Iraqi president stressed the importance of communication between parliamentarians in both countries in the interest of supporting mutual issues, pointing out that economic projects and mutual economic benefits are strategic for long-term ties.

 

He also said he valued the Kingdom’s efforts in defending and addressing the issues of the region, praising His Majesty King Abdullah’s stance and wisdom in dealing with the Palestinian issue, noting that the ongoing efforts on the Palestinian issue have serious consequences on Palestinians’ future.

 

For his part, Tarawneh said that the King’s visit to Baghdad and the visit of the Iraqi president to Amman were very important to the relations of the two countries.

 

He stressed the importance of the two countries’ efforts to restore Iraq’s leading stature at both Arab and regional levels, praising Iraq’s political and democratic process.

 

Later in the day, Tarawneh also met with the Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

 

During the meeting, Abdul Mahdi said that more cooperation between the Iraqi and Jordanian parliaments would support the two countries’ governments in establishing a foundation for the future.

 

Tarawneh added that a strong Iraq would support the Kingdom’s efforts in resolving regional issues, especially the Palestinian issue.

 

Tarawneh expressed his hope that neighbouring countries would overcome their crisis with Qatar as soon as possible, “so that all of us can set efforts towards achieving security and stability in the region through a just solution to the Palestinian issue”, according to Petra.