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.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.