“Iraq sees its relationship with the United States as a continued pillar for supporting internal stability and achieving comprehensive economic development,” Fuad Hussein told a roundtable by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, as reported by the foreign ministry.
During the meeting, Hussein highlighted the need for continued cooperation with Washington, especially in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and benefiting from American expertise in the fields of education, energy, and healthcare.
He also said that a new round of dialogue between Baghdad and Washington is being prepared this year.
“This dialogue aims to develop joint cooperation in the economic, investment, educational, and health sectors, and to expand scientific and cultural exchanges to enhance the interests of the two friendly peoples,” the foreign ministry statement said.
Hussein arrived in the US on Thursday for talks with American officials focused on strengthening mutual security and partnerships in various sectors. His visit came as Baghdad pushes for new security partnerships with members of the US-led coalition against ISIS.
On Friday, he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss boosting political, security, and economic ties. During the meeting, Rubio praised Iraq’s recent deals with American firms worth “billions of dollars.”
In March, Iraq signed energy deals with US firms GE Vernova and UGT Renewables. GE Vernova has committed to producing 24,000 megawatts of electricity, while UGT will implement a 3,000-megawatt solar power project.
Hussein further praised Washington’s role in the fight against ISIS.
The Iraqi government has said that it no longer requires the continued presence of US-led coalition troops in its original form. The coalition was established in 2014 in response to ISIS’s rapid territorial expansion in Iraq and Syria, following a formal invitation from the Iraqi government. Baghdad and Washington have agreed to end the coalition’s combat mission in Iraq by September.
