Sunday 19 Jul 2020

 

Third Session of Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council Concluded

​​ The Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council has concluded its third session today. This session is an extension of the efforts seeking to promote relations between the two brotherly countries on the strategic and cooperation levels in various fields, develop partnerships between the private sectors of both countries, open new horizons of cooperation in the fields of economy and development, deepen joint cooperation on the level of important regional and international affairs, and protect joint interests. In the third session of the Council, Iraq was represented by a ministerial delegation led by 'Ali 'Abd-al-Amir 'Allawi, Iraqi Deputy Minister of Finance, including the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Planning, the Minister of Health, Minister of Electricity, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Youth and Sports, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom. Dr. Majid al-Qasabi led the Saudi delegation in the third session. The meetings were attended by His Royal Highness the Minister of Energy; His Royal Highness Vice President of the General Intelligence Directorate; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development; Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture; Minister of Education; Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources; Minister of Transport; Deputy Minister of Interior; Deputy Minister of Finance; Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning; Governor of the General Customs Authority; Governor of the General Authority of ​Foreign Trade; Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia at the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council; Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political and Economic Affairs; Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Public Health; Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Iraq; President of the Saudi Business Council; and an elite of Saudi businessmen. The session included several meetings held between the members of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, during which they discussed the latest developments of the Council and related committees. Both sides agreed on a joint action plan that includes investment projects between both countries. Moreover, a framework memorandum was signed between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Iraqi Ministry of Finance on loans for several development projects in Iraqi. Furthermore, a memorandum of cooperation was signed by and between both sides in the field of healthcare to confront the COVID-19 crisis and provide Iraq with medical aid, in the implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may God protect him. The session also included several bilateral meetings, with the participation of the Kingdom's private sector, to discuss cooperation opportunities in all fields and develop the strategic partnerships between the two countries, as several priority investment projects between the two brotherly countries were discussed. Both sides agreed on the executive plans of agreements and memoranda of association concluded between them, in such a way as to serve the interests of both countries. They also agreed on the resumption of the convening of the Council's committees and the work of the specialized technical committees to discuss economic projects within the framework of the Council. Moreover, the two sides [discussed the readiness of the border crossing of " Judaydit ' Ar'ar" [place name as transliterated] to pave the way for its inauguration once all necessary requirements are fulfilled. Both sides emphasized their serious wish to enhance bilateral relations and promote cooperation in all fields in such a way as to fulfilling the aspirations of the government and people of the two brotherly countries.