The Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council held its first meeting in Riyadh on Sunday 22.10.2017, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, from the Saudi side, and H.E. the Iraqi Minister of Planning and Acting Minister of Trade, Dr. Sulaiman Al Jumaili.
H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Investment delivered a speech welcoming the attendants, wishing that the Council would achieve all planned aspirations and hopes. H. E. referred to the content of the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, delivered today at the opening of the first meeting of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council. His Majisty confirmed that what links the Kingdom with the brotherly Iraq is not just neighborhood, but brotherhood, blood, history and one destiny.
H.E. Dr. Al Qasabi confirmed that the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this council and the presence of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Dr. Haider Al-Abadi underlined the serious desire of the two countries' leaders to enhance bilateral relations and promote cooperation in all fields to serve the aspirations of the two countries. Actually, there are great expectations for this council. The world is witnessing serious challenges that require our joint efforts to achieve and fulfill the objectives of this important Council.
In conclusion, H.E. prayed the Almighty Allah to guide all to the right path and to help us do our best to benefit and serve the peoples of the two brotherly countries, as well as the Arab and Islamic nations. H.E. is looking forward to meet with those attending the council today in the Republic of Iraq, under the framework of the second session of the Council.
For his part, H.E. the Minister of Planning and Acting Minister of Commerce in the Republic of Iraq delivered a speech, through which he hailed the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and H.E. the Iraqi Prime Minister, Dr. Haider Al-Abadi for this coordination council. H.E. expressed his thanks and appreciation to the chairman and members of this council For their kind hospitality and care, stressing that the Council has great responsibilities to enhance and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
H. E. pointed out that the Council will be a start or a leap for institutional work between the two countries, expressing his hope to hold the next session of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in Baghdad.
H. E. expressed his pleasure and gratitude to what had been provided by the Saudi side in this council. Confirming that the Iraqi side is keen and serious to meet everything that contributes and benefits the two countries. H.E. referred to launching the new phase of relations between Iraq and the Kingdom, stating that this relation would enhance the cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, peace, security and stability in the region.
The meeting was attended, from the Saudi side, by H.E. Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Engr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, H.E. Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubair, H.E. Minister of Transport, Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi, H.E. Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, H.E. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, H.E. Acting Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Binten, H.E. Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jada’an, H.E. Assistant Minister of Defense, General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Ayish, H.E. Deputy Minister of Interior, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Salem, H.E. Minister of State for the Arabian Gulf Affairs, Mr. Thamer Bin Sulaiman Al Sabhan, and Deputy Chief of General Intelligence, Mr. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri.
The Iraqi side included, H.E. the General Secretary of Cabinet ( Vice Chairman of the Council), Dr. Mahdi Mohsin Al Allaq, H.E. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Issa, H.E. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, H.E. Acting Minister of Industry, Mr. Mohammad Shabaa Al-Sudani, H.E. Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Falah Hasan Zaidan, H.E. Minister of transport, Mr. Kazim Finjan, H.E. Minister of Culture, Mr. Firyad Rwandzi, Chairman of the National Investment Authority (Rapporteur of the Council) Dr. Sami Raouf Al-Araji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nizar Al-Khairallah, H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Rushdie Mahmoud Al-Ani, H.E. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interio for Intelligence Affairs, Major General, Maher Najm Abdul Mohsen, H.E. the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, Marine Lieutenant Gen. Mohammed Jawad al-Abadi, H.E. the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Maher Hammad.