Shafaq News- Baghdad
Former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi called on Thursday forIraq to build stronger relations with the United States while upholdingexisting bilateral agreements, ahead of PM Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s official visitto Washington.
"We hope for the success of Prime Minister Alial-Zaidi," Abdul-Mahdi told Shafaq News, cautioning that it remained"too early to evaluate the work of the government," which still hasfour years ahead of it.
On the broader bilateral relationship, the former primeminister said that while Iraq values ties with all countries, a friendship withthe United States is necessary —provided existing agreements between Baghdadand Washington are also implemented. He identified September as a criticaljuncture, noting that the scheduled withdrawal of Global Coalition coalitionforces from Iraqi soil by the end of that month is "decisive."
Abdul-Mahdi, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2020,added that strengthening political and economic relations serves the interestsof all parties, citing the importance of both Washington's global role andIraq's regional standing.
Al-Zaidi's upcoming Washington trip is expected to center oneconomic partnership. A source familiar with the visit's agenda told ShafaqNews that the prime minister will carry files addressing several longstandingnational challenges, including a proposal to export 500,000 barrels of oil perday to the United States in exchange for partnerships with major Americancompanies in the energy, industry, and agriculture sectors.
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