TheNational - Jordan, Egypt and oil-exporting Iraq have discussed reviving an oil pipeline project that could eventually link the three countries, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi said on Tuesday.

“This is a vital and strategic issue that benefits the three countries positively. Ground has been covered towards activating it,” Mr Al Safadi told a news conference in Cairo after a meeting with his Egyptian and Iraqi counterparts.

Jordan and Iraq signed an agreement in 2013 to build the pipeline from Basra to Aqaba, passing through Jordan’s only refinery in Zarqa near Amman.

The proposed pipeline had an initial capacity of 150,000 barrels per day and had a cost of $18 billion. It was due for completion in 2017 but the project was not realised.

The two countries revived the project this year, as diplomatic relations between them improved, and the pipeline scheme was expanded to include Egypt.

Unlike Egypt and Jordan, which import most of their oil needs, Iraq is one of the top five exporting members of Opec.

Mr Al Safadi said the three countries are seeking “integration, whether in the energy, construction, pharmaceuticals sectors, or in food security”.

“We will be creating the political horizon and it will be the private sector in our three countries and in the region that will start working on many of these projects,” Mr Al Safadi said.