Sudani, Blinken discuss Iraq-US bilateral relations

18-04-2023
Rudaw
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Tuesday received a phone call from the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, discussing a range of topics, including bilateral relations, according to Sudani’s office. 

“During the phone call, they discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States and ways to enhance them in various fields. They also discussed the Iraqi government's efforts in economic reform and diversification of development sources,” read a statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s office. 

Sudani and Blinken also “reiterated Iraq's firm stances regarding security and economic issues and challenges at the regional and international levels and Iraq's support for promoting dialogue to resolve differences,” it added. 

They also discussed the performance of Iraqi security forces in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and the role of the US in “assisting with military advice and training.”

Washington leads the global coalition against ISIS - terror group which controlled swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territories in 2014. 

There are currently around 2,000 American troops in the country.

The Strategic Framework Agreement between US and Iraq, which went into effect in 2009, seeks to normalize Baghdad-Washington relations through setting long-term bilateral economic, diplomatic, cultural, and security cooperation.

US President Joe Biden in February spoke to Sudani, reiterating Washington’s support to Baghdad and willingness to endorse the premier’s program to improve the country’s economy.
 

Comments

Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.

To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.

We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.

Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.

Post a comment

Required
Required
 

The Latest

From left: flags of Iran and EU. Photo: AFP/file

EU widens sanctions against Iran

The European Council on Monday announced widening the scope of its sanctions against Iran for supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine, and armed groups in the Middle East.