Trump, Abadi Agree On Develop And Maintain Positive Relations Between Iraq And Neighboring Countries

Baghdad /NINA 21-March/ Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and US President Donald Trump have agreed on the need to develop and maintain positive relations between Iraq and neighboring countries in the region to promote stability in the Middle East and help Iraq to build what have been destroyed by terrorists. This came during a meeting between Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and US President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday evening 20 March, stressing the continued commitment of the United States and Iraq to a comprehensive partnership of benefit to both countries over the coming years. The media office of Abadi quoted him as saying in a joint statement followed the bilateral meeting, that US President Donald Trump confirmed that US support for Iraq and its people would continue in the joint war of the two countries against terrorist gangs and the US is committed to Iraq today in a comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect in the light of Iraqi-US strategic framework agreement that defines the frameworks of cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields. President Trump was keen to host Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the White House as one of the first presidents of the world to appreciate the role of Iraq and to support the close relationship between the American and Iraqi people and the importance of the relationship between the two governments, the statement said. Abadi and President Trump praised the level of military cooperation between Iraq and the United States in the war against Daesh and the military campaign to liberate Mosul. "The two sides agreed that the long-term partnership between Iraq and the United States will continue to root out terrorism in Iraq and to strengthen Iraq's strength in the military and other important areas," the statement said. He stressed that the United States will continue to provide support and training to the Iraqi forces to achieve a decisive and permanent victory against the terrorist gangs and the ability to reach an advanced level of ability and efficiency, pointing to the security partnership between Iraq and the United States is an important pillar to support security in both countries. Trump stressed that "terrorism can not be completely defeated by military victory only, as the two presidents agree on the need to strengthen the partnership between the two countries to include the political and economic fields through the joint strategic framework agreement." The officials of the two countries will discuss, in the coming months, the steps to be taken to consolidate economic ties and encourage investment and expand prospects for cooperation in the energy sector, seeking to create new opportunities and enhance cooperation in the education and culture sector. The United States praised the vision of Prime Minister Abadi to build a strong and diverse economy in Iraq, capable of meeting all the needs of the Iraqi people. The statement said that the United States strongly supports Iraq's partnership with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and will continue to coordinate with the Group of Seven (G7) to help Iraq in achieving economic stability and implement the reforms it needs. The United States also welcomes the efforts of the Prime Minister to promote good governance representing all Iraqis and to address the humanitarian disasters in the country caused by the brutality of Daesh. President Trump praised Iraq's efforts in building constructive relations with the countries of the region and the important role of those relations to enhance Iraq's ability to tackle terrorism in all its forms and to not allow any attempts to destabilize Iraq and undermine its democratic institutions./ End