MC

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

H. E. the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Dr. Haider Al-Abadi, H.E. Mr. Rex Tilerson, US Secretary of State. Dear Brothers, Members of the Saudi - Iraqi Coordinating Council.

Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon you.

It is my pleasure to meet you here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to H.E. Dr. Haider Al Abadi for responding to our invitation by attending the first meeting of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council.

I would like also to extend my thanks and appreciation to the U.S. Secretary of State for attending this meeting, which reflects H. E. President Trump’s interest, as well as the care of the American Administration toward the common interests of the United States of America, Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq.

Dear Brothers:

In our region, we are facing serious challenges of extremism, terrorism and many attempts to destabilize our countries. This would require us to coordinate fully to meet these challenges.

I would like to congratulate our brothers in Iraq on the achievements made for eradicating and defeating terrorism, through the coalition led by U.S.A., and in which the Kingdom and other friendly countries are taking part. In this regard, we confirm our support for Iraq's unity and stability, hoping that all disputes to be addressed and settled inside the Iraqi House and through dialogue, based on the Iraqi constitution.

Our presence today reflects the interest of all of us in this Council. We look forward that this council would promote and enhance the relations between our two peoples and our brotherly countries in all fields.

The great potentials available in our two countries present us with a historic opportunity to build an effective partnership and to achieve our common aspirations.

Dear Brothers:

What binds us to our brotherly Iraq is not just neighboring and common interests but brotherhood, blood, history and one destiny.

We all look forward that this Council and its relevant meetings would contribute to further and broader prospects. The minutes of meeting and all related work plans would be followed-up by me personally and H.E. the Iraqi Prime Minister.

We pray to Almighty Allah to help us all for the goodness and welfare of our two nations, as well as for our Arab and Islamic nations and the world at large.

Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you all. 

After that, H.E. the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq delivered a speech during which he noted the relations development witnessed by the two brotherly countries. H. E. pointed out that the first meeting of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council was the result of joint efforts and good intentions of the two sides. Our brotherly relations reflect the orientations and policies of our two countries' leaderships. H.E. expressed his full thanks and appreciations to the Custodian of the two holy mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as to His Royal Highness, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. May Allah Bless them all.

H. E. the Prime Minister reviewed a number of cooperation and common interests issues between the Kingdom and Iraq, to be linked by a network of relations in various fields that may contribute to the realization of security, stability and development at both sides, as well as to expand security, economic, trade and cultural cooperation.

H. E. stressed the importance of focusing cooperation in fighting terrorism, doing all endeavors and efforts to show that terrorism does not represent our Islamic religion. It is really an enemy of all humanity, and that the Arab and Islamic countries are the most affected by terrorism. 

H.E. Al Abadi stressed that the region can’t tolerate further division or on-going conflicts. It is very important to end armed conflicts and stop the policies of interfering in others affairs, for particular interest of this country or that. It is very necessary to start a new phase of comprehensive cooperation and joint economic integration. H.E. said, "We believe that our security, stability, economy and interests should be designed and formed through joint efforts by the countries of this region. We would like all people of the region to live under safety, stability and prosperity. We are ready to unite our efforts with the efforts of our brothers in this region to begin a new era of peace, stability and development. Therefore, we can set up a network of joint interests that may serve our peoples, deepen our relations and open new prospects for our youth, so that to keep our people safe, rather than being hijacked by gangs of terrorism and crime. "

H. E. added, "We are serious about our joint cooperation and sincere in giving our hands to our brothers. We will endeavor to avail any steps that may consolidate security, stability, prosperity and development. We are optimistic about the Joint Coordination Council between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, for sure it will bring welfare to our two brotherly peoples. I would like to reiterate my thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques for the kind hospitality we have received in this country.

 

After that, H.E. the US Secretary of State delivered a speech, in which he praised the US-Saudi relations and US-Iraqi relations, stressing the need for these relations to grow.

H. E. hailed the achievements made by the Iraqi government in combating and fighting the terrorist IS Organization, pointing out that Iraq is in dire need of reconstruction and for enhancing stability.

H. E. welcomed the establishment of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, which will contribute to reforms and to the development of the private sector, which in turn will encourage investment and the reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

H. E. said that this proves the existence of a strong and growing economy in Iraq with the participation of all its citizens. This will lay the foundation for fruitful cooperation in the region. H. E. pointed out that the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council is in favor of the two countries and the whole region. Stressing the support of U.S.A. for the on-going cooperation between the Kingdom and Iraq.

At the end of the meeting, the minutes of setting-up the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council was signed by H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, for the Saudi side, and H.E. the Minister of Planning and Acting Minister of Commerce Dr. Salman Al-Jumaili, for the Iraqi side.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Minister of State, member of the Cabinet Dr. Musa'ed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, H.E. Minister of State and member of the cabinet, Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, H.E. Minister of Commerce and Investment, Head of the Saudi side at the said Council, Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, H.E. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubair, H.E. Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Engr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh, H.E. Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Dr. Mohammad Bin Saleh Bentin, H.E. Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammad Bin Abdullah Al Jad’an, H.E. Minister of Culture and Information, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, H.E. Minister of Transport, Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi, H.E. Assistant Minister of Defense, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Ayish, H.E. Deputy Minister of Interior,Dr. Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Salim, H.E. Minister of State for Arabian Gulf Affairs, Mr. Thamer bin Sabhan Al-Sabhan, H.E. Vice President of General Intelligence, Mr. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri, H.E. Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the Republic of Iraq, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Shammari and the members of the Iraqi and American delegations.