Egypt, Jordan and Iraq to coordinate efforts to confront regional and Arab crises

Egypt, Jordan and Iraq agreed to “continue work, coordination and consultation to resolve regional crises and serve Arab causes and interests.”

The foreign ministers of the three countries held a meeting, yesterday (Wednesday), in the Jordanian capital, Amman, within the framework of the “trilateral cooperation mechanism” between them, to discuss “strengthening means of cooperation and increasing coordination mechanisms within the political, economic, commercial, industrial and security fields,” according to a joint statement.

Sameh Shoukry, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, said in a joint press conference after the meeting that “solidarity and work between the three countries achieve interest, security and stability in the region,” stressing “the importance of intensifying joint Arab action.”

Shoukry added, “The tripartite action mechanism aims primarily to strengthen the existing ties between the three countries, based on integration, economic opportunities, and the exchange of visions in connection with regional issues.”

For his part, Fouad Hussein, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, said, “The tripartite cooperation mechanism aims to increase cooperation in the sectors of trade, industry, economy, land transport, electrical interconnection and energy.”

There is a mechanism for coordination and tripartite cooperation between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, which was launched in Cairo in 2019, and the foreign ministers of the three countries held a series of meetings within the framework of the mechanism, the latest of which was last November 2, on the sidelines of the meetings of the Council of the League of States at the summit level in Algeria.

In turn, Ayman Safadi, the Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, affirmed “Cairo and Amman’s support for the security and stability of Iraq,” expressing his aspiration for “more cooperation and coordination with the Iraqi government,” considering cooperation between the three countries “a model for joint Arab action.”

The Iraqi foreign minister stated that “the meeting discussed a range of issues, especially those related to economic issues, extremism, and terrorism, as well as preparation for the Arab-Chinese summit in Riyadh,” stressing that “the countries of the region face challenges related to food and energy security,” pointing out that “Iraq achieved a historic victory over the organization (ISIS), and began rebuilding and reconstruction.”

On foreign interference and continuous attacks on Iraqi territory, the Iraqi foreign minister revealed that “the government is in constant contact with other parties to stop these interferences, which must be resolved through dialogue.”

For his part, the Egyptian Foreign Minister affirmed “the continuation of communication between the three countries,” noting that “the next meeting will be held in Iraq in the presence of the ministers concerned in the fields of projects to be established between Cairo, Amman and Baghdad.” In preparation for the summit to be hosted by Egypt next year.

The last tripartite summit between the leaders was held on June 27, 2021, in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, while the second summit was on August 25, 2020 in Amman, and the first summit was in Cairo on March 24, 2019.

The Egyptian foreign minister pointed out to what “the three countries are facing in terms of challenges related to the existing geostrategic climate and economic pressures resulting from the Ukrainian crisis, food security, and energy security, which reinforces the need for more cooperation,” he said.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister expressed his “thanks to both Iraq and Jordan for their support and strong support for Egyptian water security,” and said, “These are firm positions, which we cherish, given the importance this issue poses to the Egyptian people.”

For his part, the Jordanian foreign minister said, “Egyptian water security is an integral part of Arab water security, and we are always with Cairo, based on clear directives from the Jordanian leadership in this regard.”

The foreign ministers discussed a number of Arab issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, and the ministers agreed that the meeting would be followed by upcoming meetings in preparation for the fourth summit that Egypt will host within the framework of the tripartite cooperation mechanism next year. To give it greater impetus, especially in light of the economic challenges that have made systematic cooperation an even more urgent necessity, ”according to the joint statement.