Iraqi Parliament Speaker Affirms Country's Need for Jordanian Energy

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi stressed Iraq's critical need to increase the quantities of electricity imported from Jordan. A statement from his media office indicated that al-Halbousi, accompanied by a parliamentary delegation, met with his Jordanian counterpart, Mazen al-Qadi, in the Jordanian capital, Amman. Discussions were held at the Jordanian Parliament headquarters focusing on bilateral relations and strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. The discussions underscored, according to the statement, the pivotal role played by parliaments in solidifying bilateral relations. This is achieved through supporting necessary legislation, exchanging expertise, enhancing coordination, and unifying stances in regional and international parliamentary forums to serve common causes and central issues of the Arab nation. The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament expressed his appreciation for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, and for Jordan's supportive positions towards Iraq. He also affirmed Iraq's keenness to develop relations with Jordan across various fields, especially in energy projects. Foremost among these is the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline project. He clarified that Iraq seeks to diversify its oil export outlets amidst challenges faced by some traditional routes, emphasizing that the pipeline project represents a strategic option serving the interests of both sisterly nations. Al-Halbousi further highlighted the importance of the electricity grid connection project between Iraq and Jordan, reiterating Iraq's need to boost imported energy from the Kingdom and benefit from the Jordanian electricity surplus. For his part, the Speaker of the Jordanian Parliament affirmed that Jordan views Iraq with affection and appreciation, noting that relations between the two countries form a model of sincere brotherhood built on mutual respect and shared interests. He pointed out that a strong and stable Iraq represents a fundamental pillar for the security and stability of the region. The Jordanian official also emphasized that Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah II, has been and will remain a supporter of Iraq's unity, sovereignty, and security. He expressed the Kingdom's belief in Iraq's capability to continue its path of construction and progress, indicating the importance of expanding partnership between the two countries in various sectors, including economy, energy, trade, investment, and transport. He added that the current phase presents a real opportunity to build upon what has been achieved and move towards broader horizons of integration. The statement also clarified that the meeting witnessed interventions from several heads of parliamentary blocs, who, in turn, stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations. They indicated widespread support within the parliament for joint cooperation projects, particularly in the fields of energy and economy. The meeting affirmed the importance of moving forward with the implementation of the Basra-Aqaba pipeline project and strengthening the electricity connection, in addition to expanding cooperation in the health and education sectors and benefiting from advanced Jordanian expertise in this domain. It also stressed the necessity of enhancing Arab parliamentary coordination and unifying stances on regional issues.