Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Thursday the Kingdom’s consulate in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
The development reflected efforts to bolster communication between Riyadh and Baghdad, said an Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement. It also reflected their keenness on facilitating visits by Iraqis to holy sites in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah.
The opening was attended by head of a high-ranking Saudi delegation Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim.
The delegation was on a two-day visit to Baghdad during which it announced a $1 billion grant to Iraq and the construction of a sports city in the country as a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
The Saudi consulate in Baghdad is one of four the Kingdom plans on opening in Iraq after decades of a diplomatic impasse between the neighbors.
Iraqi President Barham Salih had received the Saudi delegation at the al-Salam palace in Baghdad. He stressed the “fraternal ties” that bind Iraq and Saudi Arabia, saying that his country was keen on building “unique” relations with the Kingdom and the rest of its neighbors.
He praised Saudi Arabia, its King and people, for their support to the Iraqi people and contribution to the reconstruction of liberated cities.
After defeating the terrorist ISIS organization, Iraq is now a beacon for investment, he declared.
For his part, Qasabi said that the visit paves the way for a new chapter in ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
The delegation also met with Iraqi parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, who expressed his readiness to approve necessary legislation and laws that would help develop the investment and commerce sector.
The two sides discussed cooperation that serves the peoples of the two countries. They also reviewed memoranda of understanding that were signed between Riyadh and Baghdad, said a statement from Halbousi’s office.
The delegation, for its part, voiced Saudi Arabia’s support to revive partnership with Iraq in all fields. It also expressed its gratitude that stability and security were restored in the country.
Head of the al-Hal party, Jamal al-Karbouli hailed Saudi Arabia’s opening of its consulate in Baghdad, saying this “positive development bolsters joint Arab cooperation and restores Iraq’s influential standing in the region.”
“Those opposing this political achievement are enemies of Iraq’s successes and openness to its Arab, regional and international surroundings,” he added.
Leading member of the Reform and Reconstruction Alliance Haidar al-Malla noted to Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia’s openness to Iraq will lead the way to the rise of a new “Arab project” in the region.
Moreover, he highlighted the efforts of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, in demonstrating “unprecedented openness” towards the Arab world.
Iraqi economic expert Dr. Abdulrahman al-Shammari told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq’s newfound political and economic stability “have become important factors that encourage regional countries, especially Saudi Arabia, to cooperate with it.”
“There is a serious desire to close the chapter of the past, a position that is being voiced by Iraqi officials and which is being heard by countries in the region,” he remarked.
