The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Iraq issued a joint statement in the wake of the official visit paid by His Excellency Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, to the country on February 9.
Below is its text:
1)- At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani, paid an official visit to the UAE on February 9, 2023. During the visit, the two sides discussed ways to enhance political and diplomatic cooperation. And trade and economic, and they exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues and stressed the importance of joint work to develop various aspects of bilateral relations.
2)- The two sides agreed on the importance of convening the tenth session of the joint committee between the two countries, because of its important impact in strengthening relations and following up all bilateral files in areas of common interest. It was also agreed to develop the framework regulating bilateral trade between the two countries, and raise it to the level of comprehensive partnership, to achieve broader economic integration between the two countries, activate economic diplomacy and advance economic growth rates in general.
The two sides agreed to support existing and future Emirati investments in Iraq, open horizons for new partnerships, and address challenges by turning them into opportunities that benefit the Emirati and Iraqi economies, reflecting the spirit of brotherhood and friendship between the leaderships of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples. The two countries will also work to raise the levels of trade exchange, building on the significant growth witnessed in intra-trade over the past years, as bilateral non-oil trade reached about $17.5 billion in 2022.
3)- The two sides also agreed to expand and develop bilateral cooperation in the fields of health, tourism, culture and sports, due to their importance in strengthening and developing relations between the two countries.
4)- The two sides affirmed their keenness to support stability in the region and achieve prosperity for its peoples, by promoting communication, dialogue and building bridges, which is the best way to achieve regional and international stability, security and prosperity. 5)- The Iraqi Prime Minister praised the pioneering role played by the United Arab Emirates in confronting the phenomenon of climate change, extending his congratulations for the UAE’s hosting of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) during the current year, The two parties agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of environmental work and reduce the effects of climate change.
6)- The Iraqi side extended its thanks and appreciation to the UAE government for its adoption of the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative, in partnership with UNESCO, to rebuild (Al-Nouri Mosque and the two churches of Al-Tahira and Al-Sa’a).
7)- His Excellency, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’a Al-Sudani, extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him”, for the kind reception and generous hospitality, and invited His Highness to pay an official visit to the Republic of Iraq. For his part, His Highness, the President of the State, “may God protect him,” extended his thanks and appreciation to the Iraqi Prime Minister for accepting the invitation and visiting the United Arab Emirates.
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