Saudi Gazette report

BAGHDAD — Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan underscored the depth of the close relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Saudi Arabia will work together with Iraq for its stability and prosperity, he said while emphasizing that Iraq plays an essential role in strengthening stability in the region.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Baghdad on Thursday, Prince Faisal reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the two sisterly countries. “This relationship is witnessing great positive momentum in the recent period, thanks to the directives of the leadership of both countries. The officials of the two countries are working closely to continue the great momentum in the relationship between the two countries, to benefit from it in deepening coordination and cooperation, especially on the economic and developmental front,” he said.

Prince Faisal said: “In this context, we support all the efforts of the Iraqi government in enhancing prosperity and stability in Iraq, and strive to achieve sustainability in growth and prosperity for Iraq. We will work together to support and cooperate in this field, by activating the Joint Coordination Council that works on activating many projects and opportunities,” he said while stressing that there is a wide scope for coordination and cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries to maximize the benefit from the available opportunities.

The foreign minister noted that Iraq is witnessing a very positive economic development, and this creates great opportunities in light of the great economic development in Saudi Arabia and the positive growth of the economy, which has reached $1 trillion. “This will benefit our two countries, consolidate sustainable prosperity for the two peoples, and reflect positively on the entire region. These goals will not be achieved without a safe and stable region, and here Iraq plays a fundamental and important role in promoting stability,” he said while emphasizing that the two countries will work together in close coordination to advance the stability process in the region through dialogue, promoting common interests, and addressing any aspects of disagreement.

Prince Faisal said that the two countries will not be able to achieve the prosperity that we seek without stability, and we are engaged together in this work, as Saudi Arabia aims, in light of its hosting of the Arab summit this year, to achieve a new impetus in joint Arab action. “This will be achieved only with the support of member states, and Iraq, with its position in the Arab world and its role, can play a vital role in supporting this trend.”

Prince Faisal also congratulated Iraq on the great success in hosting the Gulf Cup tournament, and on its winning over the Gulf Cup. “All of us in the Gulf were pleased with what we witnessed of cohesion and the warm reception of the fans, and the tournament was an indication of the depth of the relationship between our peoples, and opportunities are available to further deepen communication,” he added. Iraq has won the Gulf Cup for the first time since 1988 with a victory over Oman in the final matches held in Basra on Jan. 19.

Prince Faisal arrived on an official visit to Baghdad on Thursday. He is expected to meet with President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbous during the visit.