Iraq, Saudi Arabia to resolve differences

TEHRAN (defapress) – Saudi Arabia and Iraq agreed to resolve differences and work together to boost trade on Sunday, after their leaders met for the first time since last June.

News ID: 66626

Date: 23 October 2017 - 11:00

According to a joint statement issued by the two countries following the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council meeting in Riyadh, the two sides stressed "the need to work together to reduce the obstacles and facilitate the entry of exports between the two countries",  Anadolu reported.

"They also agreed to develop the partnership between the private sector in the two countries and to allow businessmen to identify trade and investment opportunities," the statement added.

Riyadh and Baghdad also agreed to open ports and develop roads in the border areas.

They announced to resume flights between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and open a Saudi Consulate in Iraq.

TAQA, an Abu Dhabi-based international energy and water company, will also open an office in Iraq, while SABIC, a Saudi chemical manufaturing firm will reopen its Iraq office.

The two countries will review the customs agreement, and exchange scientific and technical expertise.

Saudi King Salman calls for dialogue in Iraq.

Baghdad and Riyadh agreed to establish the coordination council last June.

Iraqi-Saudi relations were tested last summer when Baghdad asked Riyadh to replace then-Saudi Ambassador to Iraq Thamer al-Sabhan, accusing him of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs.