Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein is preparing for an anticipated visit to the American capital, Washington, at the end of the current month, with the aim of completing discussions pertaining to the development of joint cooperation frameworks between the two countries.
These preparations follow a meeting held by Minister Hussein with the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Donald Blome, on the sidelines of the eighty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During the meeting,
developments in the security situation in the Middle East region and their impacts on the countries there were discussed. The two sides also addressed the new sanctions the US administration intends to impose on Iran and their potential repercussions on
regional nations, including Iraq. In this context, Minister Hussein clarified that Iraq has been among the countries most affected by the tensions and conflicts between the United States and Iran, and the severe security and economic consequences that accompanied them.
He underscored the necessity of sparing Iraq and the region further negative repercussions stemming from escalating tensions. He also emphasized Iraq's continuous support for international endeavors aimed at reaching understandings between the United States and Iran, thereby ensuring the security and
freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He commended the diplomatic efforts exerted by Pakistan, Qatar, and the United States in this regard. The talks also covered the trajectory of security and military cooperation between the two nations, affirming the
transition to a future phase focused on consultation, training, and intelligence cooperation, concurrently with the completion of procedures to end the international coalition's mission in Iraq. Both sides stressed the importance of continuing their partnership in counter-terrorism and bolstering Iraq's
national capabilities in this vital area. On the economic front, the Foreign Minister indicated that his imminent visit to Washington would be to complete discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation across political, security, and economic dimensions. He further affirmed the importance of
sustained cooperation between the Central Bank of Iraq and the US Treasury Department in the field of combating money laundering and promoting adherence to international banking standards.
