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.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.