Saudi Arabia’s ruling monarch King Salman bin Abdulaziz received on Thursday Iraqi Acting Planning and Commerce Minister Dr. Salman Al-Jumaili and his accompanying delegation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Jumaili also notably heads the Iraqi wing at the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council.
During the meeting, the two reviewed relations, stressing the importance of the council developing and enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.
According to a statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, which Asharq Al-Awsat received a copy of, King Salman received Jumaili, who handed him a written letter from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, in which he stressed the depth of brotherly relations between the two countries.
In his letter, Abadi praised Saudi Arabia's role in supporting Iraq in its war against terrorism, which threatens both the region and the world at large.
Abadi called for “the Kingdom to support Iraq in the reconstruction of the liberated areas and achieve development”.
Iraq is said to need about $ 100 billion.
Abadi expressed hopes that “the Saudi participation in Kuwait’s conference for donor countries, which will be held between 14-16 February, to be as strong as the brotherly ties between the two countries.”
“King Salman expressed the kingdom’s readiness to offer all kinds of support to Iraq to assist in the reconstruction during the coming period,” the statement added.
Kuwait will host an international conference from February 12 to 14 on reconstructing parts of Iraq devastated by the war against Islamic State. Donor countries and organizations are expected to announce financial contributions at the gathering.
On another issue, a Saudi official confirmed recommencing the issuance of visas to Iraqis from the Saudi embassy in Baghdad in coming days.
He also stressed that his country is keen to facilitate everything which serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples.
“The Iraqi people can obtain visas from the Saudi embassy in Baghdad within weeks,” said Dr. Majid al-Qasabi, the Saudi trade and investment minister .
Iraqis beforehand needed to apply for visas to Saudi Arabia via Kuwait or Jordan.
“This is a right of the Iraqi people and a service provided by the Saudi embassy in Baghdad.”
