U.S.-Iraqi Strategic Framework Agreement: Update on Implementation
[b class="document_type_-_speaker_writer" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"]Fact Sheet[/b]
Office of the Spokesperson
[b class="location-" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 16px;"]Washington, DC
[/b]
[b style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-family: Verdana; float: left;"]August 15, 2013[/b]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Since Vice President Biden traveled to Iraq in November 2011 and convened a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee, the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) has served as the backbone of our relationship with the Government of Iraq (GOI). The United States and the GOI value the SFA, as evidenced by public statements by each side, the three Higher Coordinating Committee meetings and 24 Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meetings held in the areas of cooperation outlined in the SFA, the Working Groups within each JCC that meet on a regular basis, and the myriad of developments across these sectors, a sampling of which is listed below:
Defense and Security (Last JCC in December 2012)
[font]
Education, Science and Cultural (Last JCC December 2012)
[/font]
[font]
Energy (Last JCC April 2012)
[/font]
[font]
Law Enforcement and Judicial/Human Rights (Last JCC June 2013)
[/font]
[font]
Political and Diplomatic (Last JCC August 2013)
[/font]
[font]
Services, Technology, Environment & Transportation (Last JCC Nov 2012)
[/font]
[font]
Trade & Finance (Last JCC March 2013)
[/font]
[font]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.][/font]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
[b class="document_type_-_speaker_writer" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"]Fact Sheet[/b]
Office of the Spokesperson
[b class="location-" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 16px;"]Washington, DC
[/b]
[b style="color: rgb(37, 37, 37); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-family: Verdana; float: left;"]August 15, 2013[/b]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Since Vice President Biden traveled to Iraq in November 2011 and convened a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee, the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) has served as the backbone of our relationship with the Government of Iraq (GOI). The United States and the GOI value the SFA, as evidenced by public statements by each side, the three Higher Coordinating Committee meetings and 24 Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meetings held in the areas of cooperation outlined in the SFA, the Working Groups within each JCC that meet on a regular basis, and the myriad of developments across these sectors, a sampling of which is listed below:
Defense and Security (Last JCC in December 2012)
- In June 2013, the U.S. Central Command hosted the first U.S.- Iraq Joint Military Committee (JMC), which is a subordinate discussion to the Defense and Security JCC. The JMC addressed issues such as border security, Iraqi military strategy, and engagement of Iraqi Security Forces in regional training exercises. The next JCC likely will be held in Washington this year.
- At the December 2012 JCC, Acting Defense Minister al-Dlimi signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Security Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense. This agreement represents the strong military to military relationship between the United States and Iraq, and provides mechanisms for increased defense cooperation in areas including defense planning, counterterrorism cooperation, and combined exercises.
- With strong U.S. support, Iraq has brought its military engagement with regional partners to historically high levels, including military exercises, strategic conferences and bilateral military engagements. Iraq’s participation in a naval exercise in Bahrain this year marked the first out-of-area deployment by an Iraqi naval unit in the post-Saddam era and the first-ever Iraqi port visit to Bahrain.
- In close collaboration with U.S. officials, the Government of Iraq has purchased more than $14 billion in equipment, services, and training through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for its military and security forces. The Iraq FMS program is one of the largest in the world and is an important symbol of the long-term security partnership envisioned by both countries. We remain committed to meeting Iraqi equipment needs as quickly as possible.
[font]
Education, Science and Cultural (Last JCC December 2012)
[/font]
- The number of Iraqi students studying in the United States increased by 31% from 2011 to 2012 to a total of over 800. Our close bilateral cooperation in this area should produce continued increases in 2013.
- The Baghdad-based English Language Institute, established in partnership with the Iraqi government, is expected to open in October 2013. The U.S. provided $1 million in funding to support English language instruction to hundreds of Iraqi government scholarship students each year for this program.
- More than 1,200 Iraqis ages 15-22 participated in the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program, including more than 200 in 2013. Areas of focus include leadership development, respect for diversity, and civic participation.
- 150 Iraqi professionals participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in 2013. Themes include women in leadership, science and technology, interfaith dialogue, energy policy, higher education, journalism, civic engagement, elections, public health, entrepreneurship, stock exchange, and environmental protection.
- The USG, in conjunction with the UN, IAEA, and Ministry of Science and Technology, held a two-day Nuclear Dismantlement Conference in Erbil in 2013, focusing on the Adaya nuclear burial site in Ninewa province. The conference represented the culmination of the DOS Iraq Nuclear Dismantlement Program’s seven years of work to safeguard and remediate the most contaminated Saddam-era nuclear sites around the country.
- Cultural heritage is a significant pillar of the Strategic Framework Agreement, reflecting the high value both our nations place on this irreplaceable resource. Through the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project, a $12.9 million initiative developed and funded by the State Department, and implemented by the nonprofit International Relief and Development from 2008 to 2011, Iraqis have undergone training on cultural preservation techniques (including exchanges with the Smithsonian Institution, the Winterthur Museum and other key partners), rehabilitated and furnished eleven of the museum’s public galleries, a three-story collections storage facility, and significantly upgraded conservation labs.
[font]
Energy (Last JCC April 2012)
[/font]
- Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity received U.S. training for over 100 of its key engineers and managers on energy security and safety in 2012 and 2013.
- Iraq’s Ministry of Oil received U.S. training for 9 key geoscientists and engineers on resource evaluation.
- The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq reaffirmed their commitment, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2013, to jointly cooperate in the areas of oil production and export, natural gas, electricity, and critical energy infrastructure protection.
[font]
Law Enforcement and Judicial/Human Rights (Last JCC June 2013)
[/font]
- After considerable technical support and assistance from the U.S. Government, Iraq has now begun arresting, investigating, and prosecuting cases under its comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation.
- In May 2013 Embassy Baghdad, a Federal Judge from the 2nd Circuit, and the FBI, trained 13 Iraqi investigative judges on techniques in asset recovery in financial crimes, and a presentation on such techniques will be made to the Acting head of the Higher Judicial Council Judge Hammari.
- In 2012, Iraq established the High Commission for Human Rights to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
[font]
Political and Diplomatic (Last JCC August 2013)
[/font]
- With U.S. support, Iraq and Kuwait worked together to end Iraq’s Chapter VII obligations regarding the mandate of the High Level Coordinator for Missing Persons and Archives and establish a UN-led mechanism to continue and maintain their cooperation in this area. U.S. support also facilitated both parties’ successful efforts to resolve the longstanding dispute over damage inflicted on Kuwait’s national airline during the Gulf War. As a result, flights between Baghdad and Kuwait City resumed in 2013 after a 22-year cessation. In addition, both sides completed maintenance of the border pillars along their shared border in accordance with UNSCR 833. Iraq has also constructively engaged its key neighbors like Jordan and the United Arab Emirates on issues of shared concern, including the growing conflict in Syria.
- In April and June 2013, Iraq took another step toward building its democratic foundation through successfully holding provincial elections and in preparation for national elections in the spring of 2014.
- The United States continues to strongly support Iraqi civil society and the many NGOs that continue to operate in Iraq under very challenging circumstances, through training and advocacy, bringing public attention to issues of inclusive citizenship, displacement, human rights and women’s rights. The State Department also named the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization the winner of its 2012 Human Rights Defenders Award, for its “fearless advocacy for human rights, concrete achievements in protecting female detainees, and critical work on curriculum reform to promote religious freedom.”
- Through its UN partners, the United States has contributed over $1 billion in overall humanitarian aid since the Syria crisis began, including fully funding a $1 million food voucher program for the Domiz refugee camp in northern Iraq and supporting Syrian refugees living in camps and in host communities in Iraq.
- The United States also continues to provide support to displaced Iraqis, both inside Iraq and elsewhere in the region. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2013, the U.S. has provided over $87 million to address the needs of displaced Iraqis through the provision of shelter, health care, livelihoods assistance, and other basic humanitarian assistance.
[font]
Services, Technology, Environment & Transportation (Last JCC Nov 2012)
[/font]
- Iraqi Airways continued to revitalize its aircraft fleet, and in part due to U.S. Government advocacy, agreed to a contract with Boeing for 41 planes worth $5.4 billion for delivery from 2013 – 2017.
- The Department of Transportation’s attaché office in Baghdad worked with Iraq’s Ministry of Transportation to bring Iraq’s airports into compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization codes and regulations, clearing American commercial carriers to resume operations to airports in northern Iraq for the first time in decades.
[font]
Trade & Finance (Last JCC March 2013)
[/font]
- Prime Minister Maliki joined over 100,000 Iraqi visitors to the U.S. sponsored Pavilion at the Baghdad International Trade Fair in the fall of 2012. U.S. organizations’ participation was up 80% over the 2011 fair, the first time the U.S. participated since the 1980s.
- The Trade & Investment Framework Agreement between the Governments of Iraq and the United States, which addresses trade issues and improves bilateral economic relations, entered into force in May 2013.
- In part due to U.S. Government advocacy, major U.S. companies like Boeing, Cisco, ExxonMobil, Ford Motors, Halliburton, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin all have offices or are represented in Iraq. U.S. exports to Iraq, excluding aircraft, rose 13 percent between the first quarter of 2012 and first quarter of 2013.
[font]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.][/font]
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
» utube 6/13/24 MM&C IQD Update-Iraqi Dinar-2024 Budget Gazzette-Dollar Decline-WTO Working Group Ju
» Changing the oil map: An Iraqi project affecting energy producers
» Sales of the Central Bank of Iraq exceed one billion dollars within a week
» Electronic payment in Iraq: huge profits for companies at the expense of citizens
» The President of the Republic: The necessity of providing support and legislation guaranteeing freed
» Transparency: Imports from Sulaymaniyah and Halabja during the past week amounted to about 8 billion
» Mayor of Baghdad: Our water purification projects conform to international health specifications
» The “new” American ambassador to Iraq attacks the factions: I will fight their influence in Iraq
» Iran blows the whistle on increasing daily oil production from a field shared with Iraq
» The fate of democracy in Kurdistan: between postponement, manipulation, and sharing the “cake”
» Creating a unit to extract oil from plastic waste with the help of water
» Movement to establish a petrochemical city in Diyala
» Parliamentary Integrity: Extending the Basra Pipeline - an obstacle to wasting Iraqi money
» The Security Committee shows the results of combating electronic blackmail
» Parliament moves against companies that support the Zionist entity
» A representative calls for doubling the service effort and increasing allocations to Nineveh
» Exploiting the Halfaya field gas increases electricity production in Iraq
» Baghdad sends 20 billion dinars to the Kurdistan Region in farmers’ dues
» Al-Sudani: The government is following a new approach aimed at activating the private sector
» Iraq announces the results of the experimental census
» Parliamentary Energy regarding the dismissal of officials in the Ministry of Electricity: They were
» Iraq sets a date for closing the Sulaymaniyah camps.. How many displaced people remain?
» To ensure energy supply...a government confirmation of the supply of electricity with fuel
» Kurdistan and Iran discuss economic and trade fields
» Deploying ATM machines in Rafidain Bank branches
» “There is no control over it.” Parliamentary Finance opens the file of providing travelers with doll
» “Public threats to obstruct it.” The Sudanese government faces a challenge to complete the project t
» The new candidate for the US Embassy reviews her list of priorities in Iraq
» Between the past and the present...the history of car numbers in Iraq and their connection to politi
» The Defense Parliament demands the opening of a full investigation into the livelihoods of defense p
» Fears of procrastination regarding the evacuation of foreign forces from the country
» Condition of pledging not to act... releasing containers piled up in ports “that do not have an insp
» Government monitoring committees to “prevent the exploitation of tourists” in Kurdistan
» Parliament reveals the reasons for not recognizing private universities and colleges in the Kurdista
» 4 important files in an Iraqi governorate receive “direct directions” from Al-Sudani
» Parliament hints at a “revolution” in implementing laws in the new legislative term
» The dollar continues to fly in Baghdad markets
» Oil confirms the supply of electricity with fuel to prepare energy and indicates a decline in “gas”
» Golden days for sellers...the recession hits the “Eid sacrifices” market in Diyala and the prices ar
» “Iraq in a Minute” is a tour of the latest developments today
» Officially... Iraq is removed from the list of using children in armed conflicts
» An economist explains the causes of the housing crisis and confirms: New cities are the solution to
» Al-Mandalawi congratulates the journalistic family on the anniversary of Iraqi Press Day
» Judge Hanoun appreciates the role of the Iraqi press in exposing corruption files
» Iraqis resort to “gold bullion” instead of money, and the banking system is dying
» Iraq signs an agreement with "IFC" to develop the stock market
» Transparency: Imports from Sulaymaniyah and Halabja during the past week amounted to about 8 billion
» Abu Ragheef: The international community and the regional environment are monitoring the Iraqi polit
» Rafidain Bank begins deploying ATMs in its main branches
» Masrour Barzani and Bagheri stress the development of trade and economic relations between Iraq and
» Al-Sudani: Some parties sought to use the name of the PMF to carry out what deviates from its duties
» The Financial Supervision Authority announces the development of a systematic plan to complete the f
» The Minister of Electricity praises the signing of the financing agreement to connect the Gulf syste
» OPEC Secretary General: We do not expect demand for oil to reach its peak in the long term
» The House of Representatives sends the decision to approve the budget schedules to the Presidency of
» Electricity grants branch managers of distribution companies the authority to purchase transformers
» Labor announces the launch of “Eidiya” for retired insured workers
» Request to hold an emergency session of the Basra Council to discuss “dangerous pollution” (document
» The shutdown of "Iranian lines" puts one million people in eastern Iraq in crisis
» Retroactively... filing a lawsuit against the Ministry of Finance over the 2023 budget
» Parliament reveals the reasons for not recognizing private universities and colleges in the Kurdista
» Al-Sudani: We have no path other than building the state and strengthening the work of its instituti
» The World Bank expects Iraq's economy to grow in 2025
» Iraq and the United States are discussing efforts to form a joint business council
» Masrour Barzani and the United Nations Population Fund stress the necessity of making the population
» The National Committee for International Reporting approves the unified basic document for Iraq
» The US State Department spokesman confirms the accuracy of his statements about the crowd
» Nechirvan Barzani confirms his full support for the success of the duties of the new Turkish consul
» Dutch-Kurdish discussions to reform the Peshmerga and aid the international coalition
» The obsession with leadership is over... and Al-Halbousi’s party is inevitably fleeting
» Baghdad to Washington: The attacks on restaurants were carried out by outlaws and do not represent t
» The Federal Minister of Commerce meets with the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government representa
» Beijing: Iraq is the third largest Arab trading partner with China
» Iraq signs a new financing agreement for Gulf connectivity
» Here are the Civil Defense instructions for securing the atmosphere of Eid Al-Adha
» Al-Sudani urges survivors to return to their areas of residence
» The Foreign Minister invites the European Union representative to visit Iraq
» Al-Sudani: We have no path other than building the state and strengthening the work of its instituti
» Rafidain Bank announces loans to buy homes
» Iraq is second on the list of countries with the highest gender gap in work participation
» The second day of his official visit.. The acting Iranian Foreign Minister arrives in Erbil
» “Strange” cases in Karbala.. Employees leave their home and live in “outbuildings” for the sake of m
» Results of the experimental census: 88% of Iraqi homes are rented or owned.. What about the remainde
» “Where did the Diwaniyah money go?” The citizen asks!
» MM&C 6/11/24 WTO - IRAQ - WORKING PARTY on the ACCESSION of IRAQ - JULY 18th - 10:00 am
» Sudanese Advisor: The development path will provide more than 100,000 job opportunities
» Before Eid.. The Iraqi Central Bank witnesses a 94% increase in foreign remittance sales
» 5 new laws on Parliament’s table after the Eid holiday
» Legal source: The federal government is preparing to veto the budget schedules
» The State of Law is angry at the statements of the Kurdistan Region's representative in Washington
» Al-Halbousi party threatens a huge surprise
» In the document...the Minister of Electricity terminates the duties of managers in distribution comp
» Iraq increases its oil production.. Will it help the state’s financial deficit?
» Foreign workers "drain" Iraq... transferring 11 billion dollars annually abroad
» Al-Maliki launches the early elections missile.. Will the government’s radars pick it up?
» To attract capital... efforts to amend some investment laws
» The Truthful: American statements insulting the Popular Mobilization Forces serve terrorism
» Al-Mandalawi: Parliament is keen to legislate the service and retirement law for the Popular Mobiliz