Iraq, Jordan sign 9 cooperation memorandums, programs in education, environment, economy

By Laith Al-jnaidi and Rania Abushamala

AMMAN, Jordan / ISTANBUL (AA) - Iraq and Jordan signed nine cooperation documents Monday covering education, the environment, culture, and economic affairs, according to the Iraqi prime minister’s office.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan presided over the signing ceremony in the Jordanian capital Amman, the office said in a statement.

The documents included memorandums of understanding on competition and preventing monopolies, plus environmental protection, consumer protection, and documents and archives.

The two sides also signed a memorandum on higher education and scientific research cooperation for 2026-2031, along with another between Jordan’s Diplomatic Institute and Iraq’s Foreign Service Institute.

Other documents included a mechanism to support small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as an amended executive program for cultural cooperation and an executive program for educational cooperation, both covering 2026-2028.

The signing took place during al-Zaidi’s visit to Jordan at the head of a high-level delegation. He held talks with King Abdullah II and co-chaired an expanded meeting of the two countries’ delegations with Hassan.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in energy, the economy, and investment, according to an earlier statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s office.

Al-Zaidi stressed the importance of establishing a free trade zone between the two countries and described Jordan as “a strategic partner for Iraq.”

Hassan reaffirmed Jordan’s commitment to continued cooperation and coordination with Iraq to advance integration across various sectors, according to the Iraqi statement.

Rania R.a. Abushamala