Foreign Minister Receives His Saudi Counterpart

BAGHDAD / NINA / Iraq and Saudi Arabia confirmed their willingness to work on open (Jemima) port and operate direct air flight to increase the volume of trade and investment between the two countries. The Website of the Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said "al-Jaafari received, in his office today, his Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir and his accompanying delegation, and discussed with him, relations between Baghdad and Riyadh, and ways of enhancing them to serve the interests of the two brotherly peoples and the efforts of the Iraqis in the war against Daesh and the big victories achieved by Iraqis. " The two sides stressed the "importance of cooperation and coordination to resolve the problems of the whole region." Jaafari welcomed the visit of Jubeir as it is the first visit for foreign minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Iraq after 2003, noting that Iraq is keen to establish better relations with the Kingdom and activate common interests and face common dangers. He continued, "We have to urge the pace and continue dialogues and exchange visits between officials of both countries to build strong relationships be an anchor strategically to address the challenges facing the region." He noted that he assigned the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary to visit Saudi Arabia soon to follow up technical issues for activating the talks between Baghdad and Riyadh, at all levels, pointing out that Iraq adheres to relations with all neighboring countries, noting that Turkish troops are still present in Iraq in spite of the Arab consensus and international positions rejecting this violation. " He called on Saudi Arabia to confirm its stance towards the Turkish intervention on Iraqi territory, particular it was part of the Arab consensus that has been achieved in the rejection of the violation of the Turkish forces and urged the Turkish side to withdraw from Iraq. He stressed that "the Iraq policy based on openness with the various countries of the world and not to interfere in its internal affairs or interfere in the internal affairs of other States as it does not enter into the policy of axes, pointing out that Iraq's power with its people's unity. Confirming that all Iraqis have shown they are united against terrorism and to preserve the unity of their country. He pointed out that "Iraq is looking forward to open (Jemima) crossing port in the framework of strengthening relations and opening the prospects of joint cooperation and increase trade and investment between the two countries, in addition to naming a new ambassador of the Kingdom in Iraq to facilitate granting visas for Iraqis wishing to visit the Kingdom." For his part, al-Jubeir emphasized that "the ties that bind the kingdom with Iraq are too many and this visit is to restore bilateral relations back on track." He stressed that "the Kingdom stands at the same distance from Iraqis and supports the unity and stability of Iraq, calling for the two countries to work on the exchange of visits by officials and activate all the outstanding issues." He noted that "there is a desire to work on open (Jemima port) between Iraq and Saudi Arabia and discuss operating the direct air routes between the two countries." / end