Iraqi-American determination to strengthen the strategic relationship

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[size=52]Iraqi-American determination to strengthen the strategic relationship[/size]

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Thursday, February 16, 2023
Iraq and America renewed their determination to deepen the strategic relationship between Baghdad and Washington across a full range of bilateral issues.[/size]
[size=45]The Iraqi delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, and the American delegation, headed by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, held a meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee in accordance with the strategic framework agreement.[/size]
[size=45]In a joint statement after the meeting, the United States welcomed the efforts of the Iraqi government to enact economic reforms. It also welcomed the positive developments between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.[/size]
[size=45]The text of the statement reads: “Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, headed the delegation of the Republic of Iraq, and US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken, the delegation of the United States, held a meeting of the Supreme Coordination Committee, in accordance with the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement for the relationship of friendship and cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq,” stressing that “the two delegations renewed their determination to deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries through a full range of bilateral issues, for the interests national interests of both countries, and their common interests in regional stability.[/size]
[size=45]The statement added, "This meeting is the first meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee to focus on economic cooperation, energy sector development, and climate change, which is a sign of a mature strategic partnership under the Strategic Framework Agreement." The Iraqi delegation included high-level representatives from Parliament, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Oil, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Electricity, the Prime Minister's Office, Iraq's climate envoy, and the Kurdistan Regional Government.[/size]
[size=45]And the statement continued, “In addition to the US State Department, the US delegation included the President of the US Agency for International Development, Ms. Samantha Power, the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyo, the Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Energy and Infrastructure Amos Hochstein, and the Coordinator for Global Anti-Corruption Richard Nephew. , and the coordinator of the National Security Council for the Middle East, Brett McGurk, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Treasury, Energy, and Trade,” stressing that “the two sides discussed the challenges facing the Iraqi economy, including the parallel exchange rate markets.”[/size]
[size=45]The United States welcomed, according to the statement, “the efforts of the Iraqi government to enact economic reforms, as well as reforms in the field of monetary policy, modernizing the banking and financial sector, combating corruption, and preventing manipulation of the financial system – measures that would help enhance Iraq’s economic prospects, including Strengthening financial and exchange markets.[/size]
[size=45]The American delegation renewed its support for Iraq's continuous efforts to build technical capabilities and implement international standards to protect the banking system from financial crimes, money laundering and terrorist financing.[/size]
[size=45]The two sides also affirmed "the determination to continue working together to modernize the financial system in Iraq in order to improve the conditions of the Iraqi people."[/size]
[size=45]The two delegations affirmed "the convergence of views that the pursuit of an ambitious agenda for energy independence is necessary to achieve maximum economic prosperity for Iraq and protect its sovereignty."[/size]
[size=45]The two delegations expressed their agreement that Iraq has a historic opportunity to invest in energy infrastructure initiatives designed to improve electricity services for the Iraqi people, secure energy self-sufficiency for Iraq, and mitigate environmental damage to both the global climate and Iraqi public health.[/size]
[size=45]To this end, the two sides decided to "accelerate efforts to capture the flared gas, modernize the infrastructure for natural gas distribution, reduce methane leakage, connect regionally to the Iraqi electricity grid, modernize Iraq's electricity infrastructure, and explore renewable energy opportunities."[/size]
[size=45]The American delegation praised "Iraq's commitment to the regional electrical interconnection projects with Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Electricity Interconnection Authority of the Gulf Cooperation Council states."[/size]
[size=45]The two countries affirmed the illiteracy of combating climate change and adaptation to it, and the Iraqi delegation stated that Iraq will soon publish a comprehensive governmental strategy to confront climate change. methane.[/size]
[size=45]The United States reviewed its plan to expand climate change programs in Iraq, after it provided Iraq with more than $1.2 billion in development aid over the past five years.[/size]
[size=45]The discussions also emphasized the importance of the need for ambitious projects related to solar energy farms, and the establishment of a regulatory framework to attract investment in renewable energy.” The two sides discussed “the water crisis in Iraq, and the United States expressed its intention to continue its technical assistance to improve water management practices in Iraq.”[/size]
[size=45]The United States called on Iraq, according to the statement, to “nominate experts in water management to participate in exchange programs with US leaders in this field,” and the two delegations stressed “the importance of benefiting from modern technologies in groundwater management and irrigation efficiency.”[/size]
[size=45]The United States welcomed the “positive developments in relations between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government and the ongoing negotiations regarding the federal budget for 2023 and the hydrocarbons law.” ".[/size]
[size=45]The Iraqi-American Business Council at the American Chamber of Commerce hosted a round table for the Iraqi delegation with 40 American companies and industry leaders who are experts in the field of gas capture, modernization of electricity infrastructure, and renewable energy sources.[/size]
[size=45]The statement indicated that “after this event, the Chamber of Commerce announced that it would lead two US trade missions to Iraq in June to explore investment opportunities. in 2023.”[/size]
[size=45]This agreement between the United States and Iraq serves as a forum for resolving trade obstacles and promoting investment and bilateral trade opportunities between the two countries, according to the statement.[/size]
[size=45]The US delegation announced that “the US embassy in Baghdad has gradually begun to provide visa services for non-immigrants.” The US and Iraq confirmed that they “plan to hold meetings of joint coordination committees under the strategic framework agreement, and additional meetings of the Higher Coordination Committee, to follow up on investments in the field of energy and economy.” And the climate-related discussions that were held during the meetings of this Supreme Coordination Committee.” The American and Iraqi delegations “affirmed their determination to strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries.”/ End 3[/size]
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