Jordanian King, Iraqi Pres. mull economic cooperation

AMMAN, Nov 15 (KUNA) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II and Iraqi President Barham Salih discussed Thursday several plans for economic cooperation, including an oil pipeline, an industrial zone and a land route.
In a press statement following the meeting between the two leaders, the Jordanian Royal Court stated that they had underlined the need for accelerating the building of a USD 7 billion-cost oil pipeline between the southern Iraqi city of Basra and the Jordanian city of Aqaba.
The pipeline would transport seven million barrels a day of Iraqi crude to the Jordanian Aqaba Port to be exported to the world. It would also provide Jordan with its needs of Iraqi crude, estimated at 150,000 bpd, noted the statement.
King Abdullah also called for overhauling the Amman-Baghdad highway and establishing a joint industrial zone on the borders between two neighboring countries.
The statement also pointed out that the two leaders underlined the importance of boosting trade exchange and facilitating the entry of Jordanian products to Iraqi markets.
For his part, the Iraqi president described the Basra-Aqaba pipeline as a strategic project for Iraq.
He invited Jordanian companies to seize the investment opportunities in Iraq.
The talks also tackled efforts to counter terrorism and the Syrian crisis. (end) ob.ibi