Iraqi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Qahtan al-Janabi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit of Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to Riyadh on Wednesday falls in line with the growing relations between the two countries.
Speaking hours before Abdul Mahdi’s expected trip to Riyadh, the Ambassador said a large delegation is expected to accompany the Iraqi PM, who is visiting the Kingdom for the first time since he was tasked to form the government six months ago.
“Meetings held between the two sides were fruitful and vital and they produced positive results to strengthen cooperation,” al-Janabi said.
He explained that the Iraqi PM’s visit would have an immense impact on enhancing bilateral relations, and therefore, should boost commercial, investment and economic cooperation, and deepen collaboration in political, security and military matters.
The diplomat said the visit would also build bridges between the leaders of both states to engage in greater dialogue on regional and international issues.
“We look forward, in the near future, for enhancing development in our relations at all joint strategic levels,” al-Janabi said.
The Iraqi Premier is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to discuss a number of issues with an aim to enhance political, economic, trade, investment, security and military cooperation between Baghdad and Riyadh.
The Ambassador said a committee, which emerged from the Saudi-Iraqi Joint Coordination Council (SICC), will hold a meeting under the chairmanship of the two countries’ Foreign Ministers, in the presence of political, military and security officials representing both sides.
The diplomat said the meetings should witness the signing of a series of memorandums of cooperation in commerce, industry, energy, agriculture, education and transportation, in addition to discussions and coordination at the political, security and military levels.
An official close to the Iraqi Prime Minister said Abdul Mahdi’s visit to Riyadh would last two days.
