Iraq, Jordan to open new border crossings next year

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD

Iraq and Jordan have agreed to open several new border crossings early next year with a view to boosting trade between the two neighbors.

The announcement came during a visit to Jordan by an Iraqi government delegation led by Finance Minister Fouad Hussein, who also serves as Iraq’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

During the visit, delegation members met with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Rajai Moasher and a number of other Jordanian officials.

In a statement released after the meeting, Hussein's office said that the meetings had tackled "means of strengthening economic relations and the importance of pursuing joint investment opportunities”.

The two sides also reportedly discussed means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries’ national air carriers.

The new border crossings will likely become operational early next year, according to the statement, which did not provide any additional information regarding the number or location of the planned border terminals.

Despite their 180-kilometer-long shared border, the Trebil border crossing currently represents the two countries’ sole land crossing.