Baghdad: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein affirmed that Iraq is working rapidly to achieve self-sufficiency and energy independence during his meeting with two US Senators.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Minister met with Independent Senator Angus King from Maine and Republican Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma. During the meeting, several issues of mutual interest were discussed. The two Senators congratulated Iraq on the successful hosting of the recent Arab Summit in Baghdad and emphasized that they had observed a significant improvement in the level of stability within the country.
The Minister emphasized that Iraqi-American relations are strategic, extending from partnership in the war on terrorism to cooperation in reconstruction and enhancing stability in the region, as well as other vital areas, including the energy and education sectors. He indicated that Iraq aspires to expand the horizons of these relations and increase the presence of US companies to take advantage of promising investment opportunities and contribute to construction and development efforts.
The Minister further highlighted Iraq's commitment to achieving self-sufficiency and energy independence by exploiting associated gas, strengthening electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, and exploring new gas fields. This development aims to position Iraq not only as a major oil producer but also as a gas-producing country. In this context, he called on specialized American companies to invest in this strategic sector.
He also pointed out that Iraq is preparing to hold its sixth legislative elections in November, reflecting the consolidation of the democratic experience among the population and contributing to achieving stability and reconstruction. However, he expressed regret over the continued classification of Iraq as a high-risk country in travel advisories by several Western nations, which negatively impacts foreign companies' entry opportunities and hinders the development of tourism and cultural exchange.
On the other hand, both sides emphasized that ISIS continues to pose a significant threat to countries in the region and the world, underscoring the importance of unifying international efforts to eliminate the terrorist organization and prevent its resurgence.
In their discussions, they addressed the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, agreeing that dialogue is the best approach to resolving outstanding issues, achieving stability, and avoiding escalation and confrontation.
Finally, both parties affirmed their support for a political process in Syria that ensures the establishment of a comprehensive democratic process, reflecting the aspirations of the Syrian people and leading to the formation of an elected government that represents the various components of society while preserving their rights.