• Tripartite cooperation includes agreements in the energy, health and education sectors, as well as coordination on Middle East issues

Gobran Mohammed

CAIRO: The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq on Saturday discussed ways to activate cooperation between the three countries in several economic and political fields.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Sameh Shoukry hosted Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al-Safadi, and Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein, at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the UN in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said on Sunday that this was the follow-up to a summit in Baghdad in June 2021.

During the meeting on Saturday, topics agreed on included the importance of completing projects proposed among the countries.

Initiating the introduction of new ideas and projects in electrical connectivity, renewable energy, communications, trade, industry, transportation, health, pharmaceutical industries, housing and construction were discussed, as well as in culture, tourism, youth and sports, and in the areas of security and defense cooperation.

The ministers also discussed the political situation in the region, stressing the importance of achieving security and stability there.

They touched on many issues, notably the Palestinian issue in the context of the importance of restoring inalienable Palestinian rights.

Ministers also discussed efforts to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, especially through the work of the Arab Ministerial Contact Group, in a way that achieved the interests of the Syrian people and ended their suffering.

The foreign ministers agreed to continue coordination among themselves to prepare for the tripartite summit scheduled to be held in Cairo.

Tripartite cooperation between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq includes agreements in the energy, health and education sectors, as well as political coordination on Middle East issues.