Iraqi PM Vows to Develop Relations with Saudi Arabia in All Fields

Gulf

March 21st, 6:45am

Baghdad - Asharq Al-Awsat

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed on Monday Iraq's openness to developing partnerships with Saudi Arabia in various sectors. Al-Sudani held talks with Saudi Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, in Baghdad. According to the PM’s office, the meeting witnessed a review of the overall prospects for cooperation between their countries, and ways to develop bilateral relations, for the benefit of their people. The PM underscored openness towards developing partnership with the Kingdom in various sectors, especially in the economic and energy fields and in investment. He also stressed coordination in confronting the effects of climate change, and efforts to limit its repercussions on the region. For his part, Al-Qasabi conveyed to Sudani the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He underlined the continuation of work of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, which includes cooperation in the economic, investment, tourism, security fields and others. Al-Qasabi, who is also the head of the Saudi side of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, is visiting Iraq to strengthen economic relations and follow up on the outcomes of the Council meetings. He also met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Dr. Muhammad Ali Tamim. The tackled ways of consolidating the strategic partnership within the framework of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council as well as enhancing joint cooperation in important international and regional affairs, protecting common interests, and developing partnership between the private sectors. The Coordination Council was established during the government of former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. It aims to bolster communication between the two countries and to elevate bilateral relations in various fields, including economics, development, security, investment, tourism, culture, and media. The Saudi minister's visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq that took place on March 19, 2003.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4224261/iraqi-pm-vows-develop-relations-saudi-arabia-all-fields