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Jordan And Turkey Enhance Security Cooperation
by Tareq Ayyoub
AMMAN, Feb 12 (IslamOnline) - Jordan and Turkey this week signed a memorandum of understanding in order to enhance security cooperation and boost coordination in preventing drug trafficking and money laundering, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said.
The agency said the memo was signed Sunday during the visit of a representative of the Public Security Department in Turkey, Turan Genc, and his Jordanian counterpart General Thahir Fawaz.
Petra indicated that the agreement includes the stipulation of general standards aimed at combating illegal production of drugs and the smuggling of narcotics in the region.
According to the memo, the two sides will also exchange information in various areas of security and will activate mutual training of security officials in the two countries. The agency did not say whether the agreement also includes cooperation to combat terrorism.
Observers estimate money laundering activities in the region at $10 billion annually, mostly the result of drug and arms trafficking.
In addition to Lebanon, Israel and Syria, official sources repeatedly state that Turkey is among the major sources of drug trafficking in the region.
Jordan is used as a transit-point for drug trafficking in the region, where narcotics move to the neighboring Gulf Arab region, especially into Saudi Arabia.
In addition to security cooperation, Amman and Ankara maintain strong military ties, including annual training programs for army personal and pilots in each other's territory.
Jordan-Turkish military cooperation has drew criticism from some countries in the region, especially Syria, Iraq and Iran, due to Turkey's close military ties with Israel and an annual training program between Tel Aviv and Ankara.
During his short visit to Jordan, Genc met with King Abdullah and Minister of Interior Awad Khleifat, Petra said.
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