Iraqi President Barham Salih called on Wednesday for joint international action to confront challenges and ease tensions in the region.
During a meeting in Baghdad with the Spanish Ambassador to Iraq, Juan Jose Escobar, on the occasion of the end of his mission, the President stressed the need for international cooperation in facing the common challenges of combating terrorism, in addition to the importance of solidarity, supporting the stability of the region and easing the tensions surrounding it.
A presidential statement said Salih also appreciated Spain’s supportive stances for Iraq in combating terrorism within the international coalition as well as supporting stability.
The Iraqi President’s invitation for joint international actions on regional challenges came as Baghdad prepares to host the first conference of regional neighbors at the end of August, with the aim of discussing the political and security challenges facing the region.
The conference is scheduled to be held at the summit level during the last ten days of August and would not be limited to Arab or Islamic countries neighboring Iraq but would extend to other states in the regional neighborhood.
Meanwhile, head of the National Power of the State Coalition Ammar Al-Hakim stressed the importance of developing relations between the US and Iraq to serve the interests of both countries.
Hakim held talks Wednesday with US Ambassador Matthew Tueller on the political developments in Iraq and the region, as well as the outcomes of the strategic dialogue between Iraq and US.
“The importance of these relations is to serve the interests of two countries, and the need to proceed with the adoption of dialogue as a way to resolve differences and spare the region the repercussions of tensions and conflicts between its countries," said Hakim.
Also on Wednesday, the European Union Delegation to Iraq warned against fraud in the coming parliamentary elections, expected to be held in Iraq next October.
Martin Huth, the European Union ambassador to Iraq, said there are concerns about the security and human rights environment in which the elections will take place.
