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Iraq, Jordan, Egypt economic partnership gains momentum

The tripartite meeting between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, and the ensuing agreements to boost cooperation raises questions about a nascent alliance that could confront Iran’s growing influence in the region.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (R) and his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, attend a joint press conference following their meeting at al-Tahrir Palace in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Oct. 12, 2020. — KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images

CAIRO — The foreign ministers of Iraq, Egypt and Jordan met Oct. 13 in Cairo to discuss a joint coordination mechanism. The meeting raised the question of whether an Arab alliance is emerging in light of the growing coordination between the three countries.

In a joint press conference with his Egyptian and Iraqi counterparts following the meeting, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, “Our security is one and our future is one. Bringing about a common Arab security requires greater cooperation.”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated, “There is total consensus on the importance of maintaining the stability of our countries and Arab entourage and not interfering in their affairs.”

He noted that the three discussed ways to activate cooperation frameworks in the fields of energy, reconstruction and electricity, on the basis of this political and economic consensus.

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