Amman, June 7 (Petra) — Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament
Mazen Qadi underscored the depth of Jordanian-Iraqi relations and the
Kingdom’s commitment to advancing cooperation across various sectors
during talks with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Hebat Halbousi.

According to a statement issued by the Lower House of Parliament on
Sunday, the meeting was held at Parliament during Halbousi’s first
official visit abroad since assuming the speakership of the Iraqi
Parliament. He was accompanied by a delegation that included heads of
Iraqi parliamentary blocs representing various political currents.

Qadi said Jordan views Iraq with affection and appreciation and
considers bilateral ties a model of “genuine brotherhood founded on
mutual respect and shared interests.” He stressed that a strong and
stable Iraq remains a cornerstone of regional security and stability.

He said Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II,
has consistently supported Iraq’s unity, sovereignty, and security,
expressing confidence in Iraq’s continued progress in reconstruction
and development efforts.

Qadi highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation in the
economic, energy, trade, investment, and transport sectors, noting
that the current period presents an opportunity to build on previous
achievements and advance toward broader levels of integration.

He also pointed to the role of parliaments in strengthening bilateral
relations through supportive legislation, enhanced coordination, and
the exchange of expertise, calling for unified positions in regional
and international parliamentary forums on issues of common concern.

For his part, Halbousi expressed appreciation for Jordan and its
leadership, praising the Kingdom’s support for Iraq, particularly
during the fight against ISIS, which he described as a sincere and
fraternal stance appreciated across the Iraqi political spectrum.

He reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Jordan
in various fields and highlighted the political will in both
countries to advance economic cooperation, particularly in the energy
sector, including the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline project.

Halbousi said Iraq seeks to diversify its oil export routes in light
of challenges facing some traditional routes, describing the
Basra-Aqaba pipeline as a strategic project that serves the interests
of both countries.

He also stressed the importance of the Jordan-Iraq electricity
interconnection project, noting Iraq’s interest in increasing
electricity imports from Jordan and benefiting from the Kingdom’s
surplus power generation capacity.

Several heads of Iraqi parliamentary blocs also participated in the
discussions, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral
relations and expressing broad support within the Iraqi Parliament
for joint cooperation projects, particularly in the energy and
economic sectors.

They called for advancing the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline and
electricity interconnection projects, while expanding cooperation in
the health and education sectors and benefiting from Jordan’s
expertise in both fields.

The Iraqi lawmakers also stressed the importance of enhancing Arab
parliamentary coordination and unifying positions on regional issues.
They praised Jordan’s support for the Palestinian cause and its role
in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem under
the Hashemite Custodianship.

//Petra// AJ