MIKATI MEETS HIS IRAQI COUNTERPART IN BAGHDAD: WE CONFIRMED THE CONTINUATION OF WORK ON ECONOMIC & TRADE EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS, RAISING LEVEL OF SECURITY COORDINATION

Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani held a bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Baghdad on Sunday. Discussions touched on ways to develop relations between the two countries, paths to strengthen economic partnership, and the bilateral agreement regarding the supply of Iraqi oil to Lebanon, in addition to tackling the conditions in the region and the latest political and security developments. During the meeting, it was emphasized that government agencies in both countries would pursue their efforts to solve the problem of delays in completing certificate equivalencies for Iraqi students, which date back to periods of health and economic crises that hindered the work of public administrations in Lebanon. Prime Minister al-Sudani indicated that "Iraq's positions on Lebanon stem from the commitment and brotherhood that brings together both brotherly peoples, and from the responsible role at the regional and international levels that Iraq plays regarding developments." He stressed "the need to stop the aggression against Lebanon and Palestine, and exert efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding regionally and causing more innocent victims and martyrs to fall.' In turn, PM Mikati expressed his appreciation for the efforts undertaken by PM al-Sudani and the steps of the Iraqi government in supporting economic relations with Lebanon, praising 'the Iraqi endeavors to support rapprochement and stability regionally and internationally.' Mikati emphasized, 'continued work on economic and trade exchange agreements, strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors in both countries, and studying the possibility of entering into projects that include establishing Iraqi industrial cities in Lebanon, and diversifying areas of mutual investment opportunities.' He also underlined "raising the level of security cooperation and coordination with Iraq in terms of combating terrorism and drug trafficking," highlighting "the importance of completing bi lateral preparations for the convening of the joint economic committee between the two countries at the end of upcoming September." Mikati renewed his invitation to the Iraqi Prime Minister to visit Lebanon "at the time he deems appropriate." Lebanon's Prime Minister had arrived earlier in the Iraqi capital accompanied by an official delegation, as they were received at Baghdad International Airport by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister, Hayan Abdul Ghani. PM Mikati and his accompanying delegation then moved to the Iraqi Prime Minister's office in Baghdad, where Mikati held a meeting with PM al-Sudani, which was followed by expanded talks that included on the Lebanese side Caretaker Ministers of Industry, Agriculture, Public Works and Transport, Energy and Water, as well as Lebanon's Ambassador to Iraq, the President of the General Corporation for the Promotion of Investments in Lebanon (IDAL) and the Deputy Director General of State Security. Participating on the Iraqi side were the Deputy Prim e Minister and Minister of Oil, Minister of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works, Ministers of Agriculture and Industry and Minerals, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Undersecretary of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, and Chargé d'Affairs of the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon