Iraq to Inaugurate ‘Development Road’ during Upcoming Regional Conference

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani (File photo: AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani (File photo: AFP)
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Iraq to Inaugurate ‘Development Road’ during Upcoming Regional Conference

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani (File photo: AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani (File photo: AFP)

Iraq will host a conference of transport ministers from neighboring countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Saturday, during which it will inaugurate the “Development Road” project.

Advisor of Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani Nasser al-Assadi said the project is supported by regional countries, namely the GCC states.

Speaking at a press meeting attended by Asharq Al-Awsat, Assadi explained that the blueprints of the projects had been drafted and funds allocated, adding that preliminary estimates indicated that investment would reach $20 billion and provide about 100,000 job opportunities.

The official added that the prime minister presented the project during the Jeddah Summit last week, reiterating its importance in implementing developmental economic projects that meet the vision adopted by Sudani and regional countries, including Saudi Arabia.

The project will link regional countries through a system of roads and railways, reducing transportation costs and travel time, explained Assadi.

He indicated that it would create a suitable environment for establishing integrated industrial cities between the regional countries, noting that this project would reduce Iraq’s oil dependency if implemented.



Sisi, Putin Stress Importance of Restoring Stability in Gaza

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi prior to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel / Pool / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi prior to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel / Pool / AFP)
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Sisi, Putin Stress Importance of Restoring Stability in Gaza

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi prior to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel / Pool / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi prior to the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel / Pool / AFP)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin stressed on Friday the importance of restoring calm in the Middle East, especially Gaza.

The officials met in Moscow on the sidelines of Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Sisi underlined the importance of reaching a final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 borders, said an Egyptian presidency statement.

Putin, for his part, expressed Russia’s support for Egypt’s efforts to restore calm in the region and rebuild Gaza.

Discussions between the leaders also covered the situations in Syria, Libya and Sudan, as well as the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Sisi reiterated Egypt’s position in support of diplomacy to resolve international crises, said the presidency.

Moreover, Sisi and Putin underlined their determination to bolster cooperation in the fields of energy, food security, mining, agriculture and industry. They also agreed on the importance of raising the number of Russian tourists heading to Egypt.