Jordan, Iraq sign accords for promoting transport cooperation

Jordan, Iraq sign accords for promoting transport cooperation Amman  - Jordan and Iraq on Wednesday signed a package of agreements designed to promote bilateral cooperation in the spheres of land, maritime and air transport, an official statement said.

The accords were signed at the end of four days of talks within the framework of the Joint Jordanian-Iraqi Transport Committee, which was co-chaired by Jordanian Transport Minister Suhail Majali and his Iraqi counterpart Amer Ismail.

Under the agreements, the two countries agreed to find a suitable mechanism for regulating land transport and logistics between the two countries and ensuring that Jordanian trucks reach their destinations inside Iraq and unload their shipments without hindrance.

They also agreed to set up a joint company for running logistical operations between the two countries, establish regular passenger facilities and consider the construction of a railway to operate between Jordan and Iraq.

The Iraqi side asked Jordan's permission for disposing of six Iraqi airliners, including the private plane of former president Saddam Hussein, which took refuge in Jordan on the eve of the US-led attack which started on January 15, 1991 for liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.

The agreements represent the first move by the two countries to restore effective transport facilities, which were crippled as a result of the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq and the subsequent loss of security on roads between the two countries. (dpa)