Saudi Arabia, Iraq to Confidently Deepen Coordination, Cooperation

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia, Iraq to Confidently Deepen Coordination, Cooperation

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein hold a news conference, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq February 2, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah stressed on Thursday that relations shared by the Kingdom and Iraq are recently witnessing positive momentum thanks to the directives of the leaderships of the two countries.

“Saudi Arabia and Iraq are working closely to continue the momentum in bilateral relations, and to deepen coordination and cooperation, especially in the economic and development fields,” said Prince Faisal during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Baghdad.

Prince Faisal renewed his country’s support for all efforts made by the Iraqi government aimed at promoting prosperity and stability in Iraq.

The top Saudi diplomat pointed to the importance of activating the Joint Coordination Council between the Kingdom and Iraq to endorse projects in various fields and boost cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors.

Prince Faisal also praised the economic development and growth witnessed by Iraq, as well as the rapid economic development in Saudi Arabia.

He said growth and development are effectively reflected in the creation of great opportunities in the two countries.

The minister noted that this benefits the sustainable prosperity of both Saudis and Iraqis and reflects positively on the entire region.

Furthermore, Prince Faisal underscored the importance of enhancing the security and stability of the region to achieve development goals.

There is close and continuous coordination between Saudi Arabia and Iraq to ensure security and stability through dialogue and promoting common interests, asserted the minister.

Hussein, for his part, stressed that Iraq is looking forward to being supplied with electricity via the Saudi network or that in the Gulf.

He also urged Saudi investment companies to come to Iraq.

Moreover, the Iraqi top diplomat revealed that “cooperation with Saudi Arabia on security and drug control is ongoing.”

Prince Faisal met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi during his trip to Iraq.

He conveyed to Sudani the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.



Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump chaired in Riyadh on Tuesday the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

The leaders then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement. They also oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields. They include:

A memorandum of understanding for energy cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and US Department of Energy, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

A memorandum of intent for the modernization and development of the capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces through future defense capabilities between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at the Saudi-US investment forum later, Crown Prince Mohammed said: “What we have signed today is part of larger ambition.”

“We hope to continue to build with you President Trump,” he added to the US leader who was among the guests. “We hope for $600 billion investments opportunities and hopefully raised to $1 trillion.”

Also announced were the following agreements:

A memorandum of cooperation in the field of mining and mineral resources between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and US Department of Energy.

A letter of intent to complete work and enhance joint cooperation on ammunition, training, support services, maintenance, systems modernization, spare parts, and education for the Saudi Ministry of the National Guard's land and air systems.

A memorandum of understanding between the International Partnership Program of the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US Department of Justice.

A letter of intent between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense regarding the development of the health capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces.

A memorandum of understanding for judicial cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the US Department of Justice.

An executive agreement between the Saudi Space Agency and NASA for cooperation on the Space Weather CubeSat on the Artemis II Mission.

A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.

A Protocol of Amendment to the Saudi Arabia-US Air Transport Agreement.

A memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Saudi National Institute of Health Research and US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the field of medical research on infectious diseases.

A collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

A ‏collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Museum of Asian Art.

Prior to the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed had welcomed Trump at the Royal Court in the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

An official reception ceremony was held, featuring an Arabian horse escort for the presidential motorcade, a trumpet fanfare, as well as the rendition of the American and Saudi national anthems.

Following the ceremony, the Crown Prince escorted the president to the main reception hall, where both leaders enjoyed traditional Saudi coffee and exchanged greetings with members of each other’s delegations.

The Crown Prince then hosted an official luncheon in honor of Trump.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He will later visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.