The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Iraq have signed a memorandum aimed at bolstering security cooperation and coordination.
The agreement was penned by Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Al-Farayah and his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Amir Kamel Al-Shammari, who led a high-level delegation, including senior security officials, on an official visit to Jordan. The memorandum seeks to enhance bilateral ties in the security sector, benefiting both nations.
As per the memorandum, the two countries will collaborate in combating international terrorism, its financing, organized crime, illegal trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances, unauthorized arms trading, human trafficking, smuggling, illicit border crossings, money laundering, and assaults including homicide.
Furthermore, the memorandum underscores the exchange of readily available intelligence to prevent any terrorist or criminal activities within either country. Jordan and Iraq will also share expertise on modern crime-fighting techniques, hold meetings, and facilitate visits among security personnel.
The Jordanian Interior Minister emphasized that the signing of this memorandum expands the horizons of unified stances, aiming to boost the shared security journey to achieve the aspirations of their people for peace, prosperity, and stability. He added that this agreement is the culmination of long-standing, deep-rooted relations between the two countries, which are based on unity, shared destinies, geography, and rich historical heritage. The continuous coordination in all fields, especially security, further solidifies these ties.
Elaborating on the special bond with Iraq, Al-Farayah said it has reached advanced cooperation levels across various domains, thanks to directives from the leaderships of both countries and the unwavering commitment of all concerned entities to strengthen collaboration in all areas.
He pointed out that the bilateral relations form a cornerstone of joint Arab efforts. This is reinforced by the international appreciation and trust both nations receive in facing threats to the Arab region, requiring unity and a unanimous stance.
Al-Farayah noted the similarities between terrorism, drug-related crimes, and money laundering. These crimes often intertwine in terms of funding sources and methods, demanding advanced and modern techniques to counteract them effectively. There’s a pressing need to intensify intelligence efforts and information sharing, ensuring swift response and implementation to curb such trans-border crimes.
Al-Farayah valued the meeting as a means to enhance security cooperation across various sectors, preserve the security of both countries, and stand united against present and future challenges. This is driven by a genuine determination to uplift and advance their nations.
On his part, Iraq’s Interior Minister, Abdul Amir Kamel Al-Shammari, highlighted the recent memorandum of understanding as a significant step forward in security cooperation between the two fraternal countries. This memorandum sets the stage for future collaborations with Arab brethren in establishing a unified security initiative.
Al-Shammari emphasized that the mutual security stability between the two nations reciprocally benefits both sides. He specifically acknowledged the efforts of the Jordanian Armed Forces, the Arab Army, in safeguarding the borders with Iraq. These borders are considered secure for Iraq and do not pose any security burden on its institutions.
Further, Minister Al-Shammari noted the significant strides that the Iraqi Ministry of Interior has made in combating drugs and terrorism. He paid tribute to the considerable sacrifices made by the Iraqi army in its war against terrorism, highlighting that they fought this menace on behalf of countries worldwide.
He underscored the accumulated expertise that both countries’ interior ministries hold in various security sectors. Such deep-rooted knowledge pushes them to broaden capacity-building arenas, exchange expertise, implement diverse training programs, and activities that boost the capabilities of all security apparatuses.
He elaborated that the continuous communication between the two ministries will pave the way for new horizons in coordinating efforts in security stability, crime reduction, and early preparedness for potential threats. Consequently, this will mitigate the possible damages arising from these threats.
Additionally, Al-Shammari mentioned that the Iraqi Ministry of Interior has streamlined the process for Jordanian citizens to obtain entry visas to Iraq. He expressed optimism for further facilitations that serve the interests of the people of both nations and foster a new phase in their future security cooperation.
It’s worth noting that the Iraqi Interior Minister, along with his accompanying delegation, will be visiting the General Security Directorate, several of its affiliated training centers, and the Jordanian Design and Development Bureau (JODDB).