Iraq’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Ali al-Hakim received his Omani counterpart Yousuf Bin Alawi in Baghdad where they discussed bilateral relations and tensions in the region. They also exchanged views on issues of common concern and regional crises in light of the US-Iranian escalation.
Hakim announced both countries are close to signing political memorandums of understanding.
Last month, the Sultanate of Oman announced the reopening of its embassy in Iraq, in line with the Gulf and Arab trends to normalize relations with Baghdad.
Hakim called for the need for joint regional cooperation in order to ease tensions. He proposed a plan for joint cooperation within and outside the Arab League, praising “joint Arab cooperation to ease tensions in the region.”
For his part, the Omani Foreign Minister said during the joint conference that he discussed with Hakim bilateral relations and many issues that serve the interest of both, stressing that they seek to consolidate relations at the highest levels.
Alawi is visiting Baghdad to reopen his country’s embassy after a three-decade closure following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
Hakim welcomed the decision of the Sultanate saying it is an expression of Oman’s keenness to deepen the brotherly relations between the two countries, and shows the serious desire to exchange diplomatic representation to enhance communication and cooperation.
“The Sultanate’s decision to reopen an embassy in Baghdad marks a positive development in the Arab presence and contributes to the promotion of joint action,” asserted Hakim.
The press conference did not address any of their countries' efforts in solving the crisis between Iran and the US.
However, Bin Alawi said last week that his country is striving to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington. He recently met with Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif, saying he had heard the Iranians' point of view and “they do not want to go to war.”
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Muscat and Baghdad agreed on the importance of joint Arab support, substantial reforms in the work of the Arab League, and the promotion of investment and mutual support for investors.
The Ministry’s spokesman Ahmad al-Sahaf pointed out that the meeting witnessed agreement to support the Arab League and intensify joint dialogues. They also agreed to open the air space between Iraq and Oman.
Sahaf reported that the talks discussed facilitating entry process of investors and diplomats.
Regarding the Palestinian cause and the US-led economic workshop in Bahrain, Sahaf asserted that Iraq is “not interested in this conference and we will not participate in it” adding that Iraq is sticking by its firm position regarding the Palestinian cause and the rights of Palestinians.
During the meeting, Hakim renewed Iraq's steadfast and principled position on the Palestinian cause, announced Sahaf, noting that the meeting also witnessed an agreement on the development of expertise between the diplomatic institutions of both countries, and on joint security cooperation.
Meanwhile, Asharq Al-Awsat interviewed the head of Iraqi Center for Political Thought Ihsan al-Shammari and asked him on Bin Alawi’s visit and whether it comes within the context of the current international efforts to ease the tension between US and Iran.
Shammari responded that Iraq's role is the most important in this crisis.
He explained that Baghdad plays a role in the talks between the so-called moderate countries to defuse the crisis with the need to resort for dialogue.
Iraq is also a part of the coordination process given that it was part of the negotiation process according to US’ 12 conditions, according to Shammari.
