DM Monitoring
BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud agreed on Tuesday to strengthen the bilateral ties in various fields.
The two leaders made the comments during a meeting via video conference to review the outcome of the fourth session of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council, which includes eight committees, among which are the committees of Energy and Transformational Industries, Political, Security, Military, Economic Investment, and Transportation, said a joint statement posted on the website of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
The two sides affirmed the necessity of enhancing bilateral cooperation to serve the interest of the two countries and their peoples in various fields, in particular the political, security, commercial, investment and tourism, and construction areas, the statement said.
They agreed to continue cooperation “in facing the threat of extremism and terrorism as an existential threat to the countries of the region and the world,” adding that the kingdom would continue its support to “Iraq’s efforts in cooperation with the international coalition to combat terrorism and extremism.”
The two sides exchanged views over regional and international issues to support security and stability in the region and the world, while asserting “the need to keep the region away from tensions and seek to establish sustainable security,” the statement said. They also agreed to open a new border crossing, named Arar, between the two countries, which will be inaugurated in seven days.
Besides, Iraq appreciated the kingdom’s support for the cooperation between the two ministries of health in combating the coronavirus pandemic, and for its medical supplies to Iraq, the statement added.
On July 20, al-Kadhimi postponed his official visit to Saudi Arabia after Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was admitted to hospital for health problems due to an inflammation of the gall bladder.
