Building Bridges: Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan Strengthen Ties Amid Regional Complexity

Building Bridges: Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan Strengthen Ties Amid Regional Complexity

Recently, the foreign ministers of Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan convened to discuss avenues for political and economic cooperation. The meeting was held during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and was attended by high-ranking officials from the three nations. The ministers agreed on the importance of hastening ongoing projects and launching new initiatives in diverse sectors. These sectors include electric grid interconnection, renewable energy, telecommunications, commerce, industry, transportation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, housing, reconstruction, culture, tourism, youth, sports, security, and defense cooperation.

Addressing Regional Issues

The ministers also deliberated on regional matters, reaffirming their commitment to security and stability. The Palestinian issue was a focal point of the discussions, with the ministers acknowledging the irrefutable rights of the Palestinian people. They also discussed potential solutions to the Syrian crisis, focusing primarily on the efforts of the Arab Contact Group. They underscored the importance of improving the well-being of the Syrian people and bringing an end to their ongoing suffering.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continue coordinating efforts ahead of the forthcoming tripartite summit in Cairo. The last similar meeting took place in Baghdad in June 2021, reflecting the strong partnership between the three nations.

The Significance of the Alliance

The alliance between Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan aims to bolster economic cooperation, as all three nations face economic challenges. They hope that enhanced cooperation will provide consistent economic support for each of them. Moreover, the alliance also aims to collaborate on counterterrorism. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continues to pose a threat to the three countries, and closer security cooperation within the alliance would boost their collective efforts to combat terrorism.

Some experts argue that the alliance also aims to counter Tehran’s and Ankara’s interference in the Arab world. The countries have plans to link their power grids, allowing Jordan and Egypt to supply electricity to Iraq and reduce Iraq’s dependence on Iran for power. However, the alliance is still in an initial stage and may not have sufficient influence to curtail Iran’s and Turkey’s leverage in the region.

Relationships with the Gulf Countries

The three countries seek to maintain good ties with the Gulf Corporation Council states. Jordan has had close ties with the GCC states for many years. However, its ties with Saudi Arabia have apparently cooled in recent years due to various geopolitical developments. However, recent signs of an improvement in Saudi-Jordanian relations point to a cautious rapprochement.

The tripartite alliance between Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan is in its early stages and faces many challenges. However, if successful, it could serve as an example of positive regional collaboration and bring economic and security benefits to the three nations. The upcoming tripartite summit in Cairo will be an important step in furthering this alliance and discussing ways to overcome the challenges at hand.