It represented 'the continuation of co-operation in the most difficult circumstances' according to Rashid, who also said that Iraq would continue supplying the oil in the event of war with the US (MEED 26:4:02). Batayneh said that the project to build an oil pipeline between the two neighbours would take off in early 2003. The Jordanian section will run from the Zarqa refinery to the Iraqi border, and bids to build it are under evaluation (MEED 4:10:02; 23:8:02). The ministers signed a memorandum that spoke of strengthening trade co-operation to increase volume to $310 million for 2003 compared to $260 million this year.