Wed, Nov 11, 2020
Based on the strong rooted and historical brotherly ties that unite the Republic of Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and their brotherly peoples, and to strengthen the distinguished relations between them, a video conference meeting was held between Mr. Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq and His Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attended from the Iraqi side, by the Minister of Finance, Head of the Iraqi side in the Saudi Iraqi Coordination Council, Dr. Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi, Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein, the Minister of Planning, Dr. Khaled Al-Battal, and the Minister of Oil. Mr. Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar, and from the Saudi side, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Muhammad Al-Aiban, and Minister of Trade, Head of the Saudi side in the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi.
The Prime Minister and His Highness the Crown Prince affirmed the two countries’ determination to strengthen relations between them in all fields, and they reviewed the work of the fourth session of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council and the results of the previous three sessions of agreements and memorandums of understanding that contribute to strengthening brotherly relations between the two brotherly countries, and approved the results of the Council’s work of its fourth session and the findings of the committees emanating from it (the Energy and Transformational Industries Committee, the Political, Security and Military Committee, the Cultural, Media and Islamic Affairs Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Economic, Trade, Investment, Development and Relief Committee, the Education, Youth and Sports Committee, the Transport and Border Ports and Ports Committee, the Financial and Banking Committee as follows:
Emphasizing the importance of expanding and strengthening the prospects of bilateral cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples in various fields, especially political, security, trade, investment and tourism, and building on the positive results previously achieved in the mutual visits between the two countries during the past period.
The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation in the fields of energy, exchange of experiences and coordination of positions in the oil field within the scope of work of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and (OPEC Plus) and full commitment to all decisions that have been agreed upon, in a manner that guarantees reaching fair and appropriate oil prices for exporters and consumers alike in the global oil market. The Republic of Iraq also renewed its invitation to Saudi companies to invest in promising opportunities in Iraq and in various fields.
3- Continuing joint cooperation in confronting the threat of extremism and terrorism as an existential threat to the countries of the region and the world, and agreed to continue supporting Iraq’s efforts in cooperation with the Global Coalition to combat terrorism and extremism, the two sides also stressed the importance of cooperation in securing the borders between the two brotherly countries.
4- Intensifying cooperation and exchanging views on issues of concern to the two countries on the regional and international arenas, in a way that contributes to supporting and strengthening security and stability in the region and the world, and the need to keep the region away from tensions and strive to establish sustainable security. They agreed to continue communication and reciprocal visits to complete the bilateral consultations at the highest levels, to expand and pursue areas of joint cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly countries.
5- Enhancing coordination in the field of mutual support and support within the framework of multilateral diplomacy, especially for positions in international organizations.
6- The Republic of Iraq appreciated the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Kuwait Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq held during the period 12-14 February 2018 and its pledges and contribution to it, and it was agreed on ways to benefit from the outcomes of this conference regarding the promises and financial credit facilities launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi.
7- An agreement to open a new Arar border crossing, which will be inaugurated and operational after (7) days – God Almighty’s will – and the work of the Saudi Commercial Attaché in Baghdad will soon be inaugurated and commenced, and the two sides agreed on a joint work plan to start work on it.
8- Seek to implement the provisions of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area agreement bilaterally between the two brotherly countries, and to form a joint business council between them.
9- Iraq extended thanks and appreciation to the fraternal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its initiative in the project (the gift of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – may God protect him – to the Iraqi people) to build a sports stadium in Iraq, and an agreement is being made to lay the foundations for the start of the project. Iraq also appreciated the Kingdom’s response to cooperation between the two Ministries of health in the two countries in the field of combating the Coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic and supporting Iraq by providing it with the necessary medical supplies to face this crisis.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prime Minister and His Highness the Crown Prince stressed the importance of strengthening the relations that bind the two brotherly peoples in all fields and advancing them forward to match the aspirations and visions of the leaderships of the two countries in a way that achieves common interests, enhances the security and stability of the region, and moves forward the wheel of development for the benefit of the two peoples to achieve their prosperity.
To read the full piece from Iraq Ministry of Foreign Affairs, click here.