Saudi Arabia, Iraq Stress Importance of Combating Extremism, Securing Borders

The Council Chairmen from the Saudi and Iraqi sides stressed the importance of strengthening the relations that bind the two peoples in all fields - SPA
The Council Chairmen from the Saudi and Iraqi sides stressed the importance of strengthening the relations that bind the two peoples in all fields - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Iraq Stress Importance of Combating Extremism, Securing Borders

The Council Chairmen from the Saudi and Iraqi sides stressed the importance of strengthening the relations that bind the two peoples in all fields - SPA
The Council Chairmen from the Saudi and Iraqi sides stressed the importance of strengthening the relations that bind the two peoples in all fields - SPA

Saudi Arabia and Iraq held the fifth session of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council on Thursday in Jeddah, which was organized upon the directives of the Saudi leadership and Iraq's Prime Minister.

The final communique of the meeting stated a Saudi-Iraqi agreement to continue cooperation in confronting extremism and terrorism as an existential threat to the regional countries and the world, and to support Iraq's efforts, in cooperation with the international coalition, to combat terrorism and extremism, stressing the importance of cooperation in securing the borders between the two countries.

It also confirmed the two sides' plans to boost relations in all fields, and reiterated the importance of expanding and enhancing bilateral cooperation to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples in various fields, mainly at the political, security, trade, investment, cultural, educational, tourism and energy levels.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq praised the successful efforts of the countries of the OPEC+ Group in promoting the stability of the global oil market, stressing the significance of continuing such cooperation and the need for all participating countries to adhere to the OPEC+ agreement in a way that serves the interests of producers and consumers alike to support the growth of the global economy.

Iraq renewed its invitation to Saudi companies to invest in promising opportunities provided in various fields in Iraq.

For its part, the Kingdom praised the economic reforms pursued by the Iraqi government.

In this regard, the meeting hailed the role of the Saudi Commercial Attaché and the Saudi Companies Center in Baghdad, which contributed to the development of intra-trade and investments by enabling Saudi companies to open branches in Iraq and facilitating access to investment opportunities and projects.

The Kingdom and Iraq agreed to boost cooperation and the exchange of views on matters and issues of concern to the two countries in the regional and international arenas in a way that contributes to supporting and strengthening security and stability in the region and the world.

The two sides agreed to continue communication and exchange visits to complement bilateral consultations at the highest levels, to expand and follow up areas of cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the two countries, in addition to enhancing coordination in mutual support within the framework of multilateral diplomacy, especially for positions in international organizations.

A number of Princes, ministers and members of the Council and heads of the sub-committees from the Saudi and Iraqi sides were present at the meeting.

The Saudi side was headed by Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, while the Iraqi side was headed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning, and Chairman of the Council Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Tamim.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.