President Barzani, King Abdullah discuss strengthening Kurdistan-Jordan ties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani traveled to Amman on Wednesday where he met with Jordan’s King Abdullah to discuss strengthening relations. 

They discussed relations between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Jordan, as well as economic cooperation and challenges currently facing the Middle East, Barzani tweeted. 

“We value our deeply-rooted ties with Jordan and look forward to further strengthening them,” he said.

Barzani thanked the Jordanian monarch and his country for their "continuous support" of the Kurdistan Region, read a later statement from the presidency, adding that the two sides discussed ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.

"Both sides affirmed the need to strengthen and unify the international and regional efforts within the framework of an inclusive strategy to fight terrorism and extremism and secure peace and stability in the region," it added.

“We are happy with the level of our relationship with the Kingdom of Jordan. They were among the countries that opened their consulate general in the Kurdistan Region at an early stage,” presidential advisor Falah Mustafa told Rudaw’s Shaho Amin on Tuesday.

“Royal Jordanian airline has had direct flights to Erbil and Sulaimani airports since the start. They eased the visa process through which many people visited the country for business, for medical treatment, and tourism,” he added.

Mustafa said they “have seen at different stages where the King of Jordan has played a good role in supporting the Kurdistan Region.”

Earlier this month, Barzani visited the United Arab Emirates and met with Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and in March he met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Updated at 00:12, June 24