Iraq, GCC sign MoU for enhanced cooperation

BAGHDAD

Iraq on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding for enhanced cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The MoU was signed at a meeting in Baghdad between Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali al-Hakim and GCC Secretary-General Abdul Latif bin Rashid al-Zayani, who arrived in Iraq on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by Iraq’s Foreign Ministry, the MoU calls for regular “political consultations [between Iraqi and GCC representatives] to allow for regular dialogue on issues of mutual interest”.

At Wednesday’s meeting, al-Hakim and al-Zayani also discussed Iraq-GCC relations “and means of enhancing them with a view to meeting the aspirations of the Arab people”.

At a joint press conference held after the meeting, al-Hakim praised Iraq’s “distinguished relations” with GCC member-states.

“The security and safety of the Gulf is the security and safety of Iraq,” he said.

Al-Zayani, for his part, said that GCC leaders, along with the GCC Secretariat-General, were “keen to establish a strategic dialogue and partnership with Iraq”.

Dominated by Saudi Arabia, the six-nation GCC also includes Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.