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Iraqi PM Vows to Develop Relations with Saudi Arabia in All Fields

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)
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Iraqi PM Vows to Develop Relations with Saudi Arabia in All Fields

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. (AFP)

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed on Monday Iraq's openness to developing partnerships with Saudi Arabia in various sectors.

Al-Sudani held talks with Saudi Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, in Baghdad.

According to the PM’s office, the meeting witnessed a review of the overall prospects for cooperation between their countries, and ways to develop bilateral relations, for the benefit of their people.

The PM underscored openness towards developing partnership with the Kingdom in various sectors, especially in the economic and energy fields and in investment. He also stressed coordination in confronting the effects of climate change, and efforts to limit its repercussions on the region.

For his part, Al-Qasabi 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.

He underlined the continuation of work of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, which includes cooperation in the economic, investment, tourism, security fields and others.

Al-Qasabi, who is also the head of the Saudi side of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, is visiting Iraq to strengthen economic relations and follow up on the outcomes of the Council meetings.

He also met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Dr. Muhammad Ali Tamim.

The tackled ways of consolidating the strategic partnership within the framework of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council as well as enhancing joint cooperation in important international and regional affairs, protecting common interests, and developing partnership between the private sectors.

The Coordination Council was established during the government of former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

It aims to bolster communication between the two countries and to elevate bilateral relations in various fields, including economics, development, security, investment, tourism, culture, and media.

The Saudi minister's visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq that took place on March 19, 2003.

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Gulf

GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.