An Iraqi-American statement: The United States considers the Sudanese government's reforms to help s

[size=46]An Iraqi-American statement: The United States considers the Sudanese government's reforms to help strengthen the money and exchange market[/size]

Policy

[size=30]Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein headed the delegation of the Republic of Iraq and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the US delegation, in 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. An Iraqi-American statement, the statement indicated that the United States considered reforms The Sudanese government will help strengthen the money market and exchange, while the two sides decided to accelerate efforts to capture the burning gas, modernize the infrastructure, connect the region to the Iraqi electricity grid, and explore renewable energy opportunities.[/size]
 
[size=30]Below is the joint statement of the US-Iraqi Higher Coordination Committee issued by the governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq[/size]
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Beginning of the text:[/size]
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The Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Fuad Hussein, headed the delegation of the Republic of Iraq, and the US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken, the delegation of the United States, held a meeting of the Higher 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. The two delegations renewed their determination to deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries across a full range of bilateral issues, for the sake of the national interests of both countries, and their common interests in regional stability.
This meeting is the first meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee focusing 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 the House of Representatives, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 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.
In addition to the US State Department, the US delegation included USAID President Samantha Power, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyo, Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Energy and Infrastructure Amos Hochstein, Global Anti-Corruption Coordinator Richard Nephew, and Coordinator for International Corruption Richard Nephew. Middle East National Security Council Brett McGurk, and senior officials from the Department of State, Treasury, Energy, and Commerce.
The two sides discussed the challenges facing the Iraqi economy, including the parallel exchange rate markets.
The United States welcomed the Iraqi government's efforts 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 financial markets. Exchange. The US 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.
The two sides also affirmed their determination to continue working together to modernize the financial system in Iraq in order to improve the conditions of the Iraqi people.
The American and Iraqi delegations confirmed the convergence of views that pursuing an ambitious agenda for energy independence is necessary to achieve maximum economic prosperity for Iraq and protect its sovereignty. Both delegations agreed 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. 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. The American delegation praised Iraq's commitment to regional electrical interconnection projects with Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Electricity Interconnection Authority of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
The two countries stressed the importance of combating climate change and adapting to it, and the Iraqi delegation stated that Iraq will soon publish a comprehensive governmental strategy to combat climate change. And 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.
The discussions also stressed 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 also 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. The United States called on Iraq 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.
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 2023 federal budget and the hydrocarbons law.[/size]
[size=30]The United States assured the Iraqi delegation that the American private sector is the best in the field of technology and its unique ability to face the energy challenges in Iraq. 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. After this event, the Chamber of Commerce announced that it would lead two American trade missions to Iraq in June to explore investment opportunities.
In addition, the two delegations noted the intent of the USTR and the Iraqi Ministry of Commerce to begin planning for the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council meeting in 2023.
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.
The US delegation announced that the US Embassy in Baghdad has gradually started providing non-immigrant visa services.
The United States 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 took place during the meetings of this Higher Coordination Committee. The American and Iraqi delegations affirmed their determination to strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries.[/size]
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