Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman held on Thursday a virtual meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.

During their meeting through video-conferencing, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Iraqi premier “noted the historical fraternal relations between the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, and the two sides praised the level reached by these relations and contacts between them,” the Saudi Press Agency reported citing a joint statement issued after the meeting.

“They also underlined the role of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in a way that serves the interests of the two countries and two brotherly peoples, and the importance of expanding and strengthening the horizons of bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially political, security, trade, investment and tourism in order to complement the efforts made and the positive results achieved from the mutual visits of officials between the two countries during the past period,” read the joint statement.

In the statement, Saudi Arabia appreciated the efforts of the Iraqi government to achieve stability and development in the country. In turn, Iraq appreciated the support provided by Saudi Arabia to Baghdad in confronting the coronavirus pandemic.

With regard to regional issues, the two sides agreed to intensify cooperation, coordination, and exchange of views on issues of concern for both sides on the regional and international arenas, in a way that contributes to supporting and enhancing security and stability in the region.

The Iraqi prime minister affirmed his support for Saudi Arabia’s initiative to end the crisis in Yemen, the statement added.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques invited the Iraqi premier to visit Saudi Arabia in the near future who expressed his appreciation and acceptance of the invitation, according to the statement.