Text of the final joint statement between Baghdad and Washington after the second round of the strategic dialogue

Text of the final joint statement between Baghdad and Washington after the second round of the strategic dialogue

2020/08/20 08:50

Baghdad today – Baghdad

On Thursday (August 20, 2020), the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a final statement regarding the meeting of the Supreme Coordination Committee between Iraq and the United States after the second round of the strategic dialogue.

In a statement received (Baghdad today), the ministry said, “The Iraqi government delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein, and the US government delegation, headed by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, held a meeting of the Higher Coordination Committee today in Washington, DC, in accordance with the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement of Sake of a relationship of friendship and cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq.

The statement added, “The two sides affirmed their commitment to a strong and fruitful bilateral relationship, while separate sessions dealt with issues related to economy, energy, health, environment, political and diplomatic issues, security, combating terrorism, educational and cultural relations.”

He continued that, “In the economic session, Iraq outlined its ideas for economic reform plans that would unleash faster economic growth and a more vibrant private sector,” noting that “the United States has renewed its support for economic reforms in Iraq and has identified areas for cooperation that can help Iraq achieve its plans.” “.

The statement indicated that “the two countries discussed coordination with international financial institutions to help Iraq recover from low oil prices and the Corona virus, and put the country on a more sustainable financial path. The two countries also plan to cooperate in the areas of e-government, financial sector reforms and private sector partnerships to enhance trade and investment between states.” The United States and Iraq, “pointing out that” Iraq and the United States are looking forward to holding a meeting of the Council of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) later this year to follow up on the July 2019 meeting. ”

He explained that “in the energy session, the United States and Iraq discussed the Iraqi government’s efforts to increase domestic electricity and gas production, reduce the waste of burning gas, and implement energy market reforms. The two governments also plan to hold a meeting of the Joint Energy Coordination Committee soon to discuss these issues in more detail,” adding that On the sidelines of the meeting, the Government of Iraq signed sustainable energy agreements with American companies, including General Electric, Honeywell UOP, and Stellar Energy, in addition to memoranda of understanding with Chevron and Baker Hughes, as concrete examples of the energy partnership between the United States and Iraq.

According to the statement, “the delegations of Iraq and the United States indicated the continuous cooperation with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to develop plans for electricity tariff reforms in Iraq,” explaining that “the two governments plan to continue cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority regarding electricity connections.” In Iraq and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and energy investment, the United States welcomed the progress made in the talks between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government on the budget and energy issues.

In the health and environment session, the two countries referred to their “ongoing partnership to combat the Coronavirus and their intention to sign a memorandum of understanding to expand bilateral trade relations in the field of health. The two governments also discussed the ongoing cooperation in the fields of environment, water and scientific issues and planning to hold a separate meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on these issues.”

In the political and diplomatic session, the United States reiterated its emphasis on “respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and the relevant decisions of the Iraqi legislative and executive authorities. The two sides also discussed the best ways in which the United States can support the Iraqi government as it prepares for the parliamentary elections, including increasing support for the United Nations mission.” United to help Iraq. ”

The statement added, “The two countries reiterated their support for freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and the need to hold perpetrators of violence against peaceful demonstrators accountable. The United States supports Iraq’s efforts to improve its relations with neighboring countries and plans to assist the Iraqi government in this endeavor. The United States also reaffirmed its continued commitment to support Iraq in providing Durable solutions for the internally displaced are voluntary, safe and dignified, and help the components that have been at risk of extermination by ISIS. Both sides recognized the need to improve access to humanitarian organizations.

In the Security and Counterterrorism Session, the United States and Iraq reaffirmed their commitment to achieving common goals through bilateral security coordination and continued cooperation between the Iraqi Security Forces and the US-led international coalition to defeat ISIS. The two delegations praised the increased capabilities of the Iraqi security forces and their joint success in fighting ISIS, which enabled the international coalition to move to a new phase focusing on training, equipping and supporting the Iraqi security forces.

The statement pointed out that “the Iraqi government expressed its gratitude to the international coalition and affirmed its readiness to facilitate this transition and its commitment as a host country to provide protection for coalition personnel and diplomatic facilities in Iraq. In order to adapt to the requirements of this new phase, the international coalition was able to leave some Iraqi military bases and reduce combat forces.” In Iraq, “noting that” the two sides agreed to separate technical talks to manage the times and move to the new stage, including any redeployments outside Iraq linked to them, while the American and Iraqi delegations acknowledged the progress made by the Iraqi federal security institutions and the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in the region. ” Kurdistan in coordinating their efforts to fight ISIS remnants and discussed ways to enhance this cooperation.

In the education and culture session, the two governments discussed past and current US support for Iraq’s efforts to promote higher education in cooperation with American universities in Iraq, through the Fulbright Program, and through the US Embassy Higher Education Partnership Initiative. The United States and Iraq identified additional ways to support Iraq’s plans to address reform priorities Higher education and strengthening US-Iraqi university partnerships. ”

The two sides discussed joint efforts to preserve Iraq’s rich cultural heritage and religious diversity and reaffirmed their commitment to return Iraqi artifacts that had illegally arrived in the United States, the statement concluded. Its rightful place in Iraq. ”

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