Sisi express eagerness to promote integration between Egypt, Iraq

CAIRO, 5 March 2023: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed on Sunday Egypt's eagerness to expedite the implementation of joint projects with Iraq in order to accomplish their shared development objectives, promote integration between the two nations, and satisfy the needs of the Iraqi people.

This came in a meeting with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who is on his first official visit to Cairo as premier.

The president emphasized the firm fundamentals of Egypt’s foreign policy towards Iraq and that includes providing full support to the Iraqi people on all levels, particularly in the fight against terrorism and in efforts to solidify security and stability.

Moreover, Siis asserted Egypt’s commitment to effectuating and diversifying frameworks of bilateral cooperation in all political, economic, trade and cultural fields. He also underlined the need to accelerate the implementation of joint projects, in accordance with the needs of the Iraqi people, and in a manner that reinforces integration between the two sides and achieves the joint development objectives. This is in addition to furthering cooperation within the framework of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism between Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.

For his part, the Iraqi prime minister lauded the firm and historical brotherly bonds the two countries share, expressing appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in support of Iraq across all levels. He stressed Egypt’s keenness on strengthening the solid bilateral cooperation frameworks with Egypt, exploring mechanisms to further advance them toward broader prospects and benefiting from the Egyptian expertise in the various areas.

This shall take place, in particular, in light of Egypt’s prominent role in furthering the mechanisms of joint Arab action in the face of the current crises and challenges in the region. Prime minister Al-Sudani noted that this role is a model to be emulated in preserving and maintaining stability and in achieving progress in the developmental, economic and social conditions.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a number of Arab and regional issues of mutual interest. They agreed on the need to continue intensive coordination so as to counter the challenges facing the region and achieve the aspirations of the peoples for peace and stability.