Regional and foreign representatives (EU, UN, OIC GCC) met at the Dead Sea, Jordan, for the time being Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. Close to Iran, the new Iraqi prime minister needs balanced relations with everyone. Iran’s foreign minister talks about friendship with others, but criticizes those fueling protests in his country following the death of Mahsa Amini.
Amman (AsiaNews) – The timing of the Baghdad convention for cooperation and partnership at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
In their latest communiqué, the participants agreed to postpone the effects of the first consultation of the conference, pledging to dialogue with Iraq, help its security, stability, sovereignty and democratic and constitutional development. They also helped Iraq’s efforts to use the discussion as a means to regional crises, with many urging it to loosen ties with Iran.
Hosted by King Abdullah, the summit was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al Sudani and representatives from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, as well as Iran.
Also present were the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union.
Yesterday’s consultation followed the first held in August 2021 in the Iraqi capital, via France and Iraq.
The assembly is also one of the first overseas trips for Iraq’s new prime minister, Muhammad Shia’a al-Sudani, who took office in October after more than a year of political stalemate. It is believed to be closer to Iran than its predecessor Mustafa. Al-Kadhimi.
In his speech, Sudani pressed “Iraq’s will to build balanced relations with its neighbors,” avoiding alignments and escalations. He criticized those who tried to undermine Iraq’s sovereignty and interfere in its internal affairs.
The other participants reiterated their support for Iraq, specifically in its fight against terrorism, a hot topic following the recent attacks by the Islamic State group.
The press release also highlights the need to support “Iraq’s efforts to make comprehensive progress and move with it towards economic integration, cooperating in a multitude of sectors, adding energy, water, electric power connectivity, food and physical security, transportation, infrastructure and meteorological action.
He “highlighted the importance of the trilateral cooperation framework between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq,” which includes “electricity connectivity projects. “It also stresses the importance of cooperation between the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) and Iraq.
In addition, the holding of the convention in Jordan reflects the preference for Iraq’s central role in “political, economic and security partnerships,” to end tensions and build “joint cooperation and mutual interests. “
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian also attended the meeting; In his speech, he stressed that cooperation is not an option, but an emergency.
Iran’s most sensible diplomat noted that security is “not something that can be imported or bought” and that the era of bad policies is over.
He also referred to Iran’s nuclear program, recalling its “peaceful” character, and criticized those who fuel internal protests (related to the death of Mahsa Amini). He also renewed the call for discussion among the Gulf States to build acceptance as truth with and strengthen friendship.
For now, those are words, as divisions and opposing goals persist, deepening regional divisions.
Regional and foreign representatives (EU, UN, OIC GCC) met at the Dead Sea, Jordan, for the time being Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. Close to Iran, the new Iraqi prime minister needs balanced relations with everyone. Iran’s foreign minister talks about friendship with others, but criticizes those fueling protests in his country following the death of Mahsa Amini.