UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shiaa al-Sudani the bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation between the two countries, in addition to other matters of joint interest.
Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the Iraqi prime minister at Qasr Al Watan. They discussed the opportunities to develop cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, and developmental sectors.
The two leaders also highlighted the latest regional and global issues of mutual interest and exchanged their views on them.
They affirmed their identical visions towards many of these issues, especially the efforts to find peaceful settlements to regional disputes and crises and push diplomatic efforts to fulfill the people's aspirations for stability and prosperity.
Sudani arrived in the UAE, after visiting Jordan and Saudi Arabia, aiming to achieve a partnership between the two countries. He was accompanied by a prominent official delegation.
Sudani's visit to Abu Dhabi comes within the principle of productive diplomacy in search of a sustainable partnership for the benefit of the two countries.
Well-informed Iraqi sources noted that the visit is expected to highlight the political and diplomatic developments in the region and the results of the Baghdad Summit II in Jordan.
Advisor to Prime Minister Hussein Allawi said that Sudani's visit to the UAE and his meetings with leaders is a sustainable path for Iraqi foreign affairs and support for the government program plan to boost development and reconstruction in the country.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq needs to employ Emirati expertise in digital transformation, management of the federal system, and programs to serve investors.
The talks also highlighted the UAE's experience in the energy sector, combating terrorism within the international coalition's campaign, and the defense relations between the two countries.
The visit also aims to promote cooperation on regional and international issues, said Allawi, adding that the Prime Minister sought through productive diplomacy to boost joint Arab and Gulf action to develop and build sustainable cooperation mechanisms and achieve regional stability.
The talks addressed oil issues within the framework of OPEC and joint agreements between the Iraqi and Emirati governments on mega projects in electricity, transport, trade, and ports, according to Allawi.
International media professor at the Iraqi University, Fadhel al-Badrani, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit confirms Sudani's will to open up to the Arab countries.
