Undersecretary Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs To NINA: The Government Is Keen To Achieve These Priorities At The Baghdad Summit

Baghdad / NINA / -The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Iraqi government's commitment to achieving important priorities during the Arab Summit, most notably strengthening joint Arab action with its brothers to address the challenges facing the Arab world and the region in general.

In an interview with the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) on Thursday, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hisham Al-Alawi, stated, "There are a set of Iraqi messages that we are keen to send and develop through the Arab Summit meetings in the capital, Baghdad. These messages include highlighting the positive developments witnessed in Iraq politically, security-wise, and economically, emphasizing the continuation of Iraq's rational policy of playing a positive role with its brothers, pushing towards ending wars, conflicts, and disputes within the region, and creating an interactive climate that allows for political reforms and provides platforms for joint dialogue."

He added, "Economically, we seek to demonstrate Iraq's ability, after achieving political and security stability, to provide significant opportunities and investments for our brothers and other countries outside the region. This will lead to economic integration that contributes to the development of various sectors, including energy, agriculture, industry, tourism, the financial and banking sectors, and the private sector. This will positively impact the provision of job opportunities for Iraqi and Arab youth alike. We also seek to enhance Arab cooperation in the field of combating extremism and terrorism, and to push for greater educational and cultural cooperation between Arab countries. Iraqi universities have provided significant opportunities for Arab youth to study in Iraq, including the "Study in Iraq" initiative, which has attracted approximately 5,000 Arab and foreign students. This will contribute to strengthening relations between Iraqi and Arab universities and positively impact other sectors."

Regarding the level of attendance and representation of Arab leaders at the summit, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that "the level of presidential attendance at the Baghdad Summit is good, and the number of leaders will exceed half, which is no less than the level of attendance at the Manama Summit last year. These are factors of optimism that we will emerge from a successful summit that is different and will push towards strengthening joint Arab action."

Regarding the outcomes of these meetings, Al-Alawi explained that "the meetings of the Ministerial Economic and Social Council on Monday and Tuesday focused on developmental, economic, and social aspects. The delegates' meeting yesterday, Wednesday, and the foreign ministers' meeting today, Thursday, will prepare draft recommendations and resolutions for the Baghdad Declaration at the conclusion of the summit meeting. These will cover comprehensive political, technical, and economic aspects, as well as the Palestinian issue and support for Gaza. There are also Iraqi and Arab initiatives that we expect to be approved and reflected in the drafting of the Baghdad Declaration at the conclusion of the meetings of Arab leaders and kings next Saturday." He added, "The timing of the meetings and the circumstances in Iraq and the region provide great opportunities to work with our brothers to enhance joint cooperation and confront the challenges facing the Arab world politically, security-wise and the state of instability in a number of Arab countries, as well as to enhance Arab efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, increase Arab-Arab investments and partnerships, implement joint projects, provide Arab food security and develop important sectors." He pointed out that "Iraq's leadership of the Arab group for a full year, as well as the economic development summit, where Iraq will lead the work of the Economic and Social Council for four years, will provide great opportunities to work with our brothers." /End