Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing Iraq, foremost among them combating corruption.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a press release that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi met with the head of the Victorious Parliamentary Bloc, MP Faleh Hassan al-Khazali, and members of the bloc. The meeting addressed several files and issues related to the service, living, economic, and environmental conditions of citizens, in addition to a number of national issues.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government has developed an economic vision based on activating development sectors, while simultaneously preparing a program and performance-based budget. He also noted the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing Iraq, foremost among them combating corruption, eliminating its sources, and strengthening institutional work.

Al-Zaidi explained that the government is focusing on investing oil wealth more effectively by increasing production rates and developing energy-related industries, ultimately contributing to a gradual shift away from a rentier economy and dependence on oil. He noted that establishing the Energy City would contribute to creating more job opportunities and opening up significant opportunities for local and foreign investment.

Al-Zaidi called on members of Parliament to support the government’s efforts by adopting a program and performance-based budget, which would bring about fundamental changes to the country’s economic reality, improve spending efficiency, and link resources to development outcomes and objectives.

For his part, al-Khazali emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive branches, expressing the bloc’s support for the government’s policies in combating corruption and advancing economic and developmental reforms. Al-Khazali also referred to the bloc’s follow-up and studies on several issues, particularly those related to regulating foreign labor and pursuing corruption cases, affirming its continued oversight and legislative role in supporting the reform process.

The attending MPs also expressed their readiness to continue cooperation and coordination with the government and support its directions in implementing economic and development programs and plans to improve the level of services and living conditions for citizens, stressing the importance of integrating efforts between the legislative and executive authorities in addressing the challenges facing the country.