Baghdad: Thursday's newspapers highlighted that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to the United States marks a significant phase in Iraqi-American relations, focusing on transitioning from military cooperation to economic partnership. The Iraqi delegation's talks in Washington have received unprecedented American support.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the semi-official Al-Sabah newspaper, affiliated with the Iraqi Media Network, reported that the discussions led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Washington, D.C., are anticipated to cover security, military, and economic issues, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors. Experts view this visit as pivotal in shaping future Iraqi-American relations, especially with the nearing conclusion of the international coalition's mission in Iraq. This shift necessitates enhancing the readiness of Iraqi forces and expanding economic and investment cooperation.
The Iraqi newspaper Al-Zaman detailed that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi's discussions in Washington outlined a new era in bilateral relations, characterized by a transition from military collaboration to economic partnership. The Iraqi government's commitment to financial and banking reforms, attracting investments, and broadening cooperation in energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors was emphasized. Al-Zaidi met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent, where he highlighted Iraq's goal to establish a sovereign state with a strong economy, free from corruption. The US Treasury Secretary expressed support for the Iraqi government's policies, aiming to transition the bilateral relationship toward economic development and business sector advancement.
The Al-Zawraa newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, reported that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, directed the formation of a committee to define the security and military relationship between Iraq and the United States. This initiative aligns with Iraqi sovereignty requirements. The US Department of Defense announced that the international coalition's mission in Iraq would conclude at the end of September. The Prime Minister also engaged in talks with Secretary of Defense Pete Higseth, focusing on enhancing Iraq's armed forces' capabilities, technical cooperation, and preserving sovereignty.