Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanoski on Monday to review Iraqi-American relations and explore ways to enhance economic and developmental cooperation.
The discussions also touched upon the upcoming mid-month visit of the Prime Minister to the United States, with a focus on strengthening bilateral relations in line with the Strategic Framework Agreement.
On March 24 Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi gave details on the agenda of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s upcoming visit to Washington.
Awadi told Iraqi News Agency that the main topic in the prime minister’s Washington visit will be the prospects for future relations after the international coalition and then move on to discussing comprehensive relations between the two sides, including in the fields of security, the military, and reform.
The spokesman referred to the strategic framework agreement signed between the US and Iraq in 2008.
He noted important issues include the financial matter in regards to decisions made by the US Treasury Department to sanction certain Iraqi banks, the country’s debt, regional issues related to the war in Gaza, and Iraq’s relationship with neighboring and regional countries.
He stressed that the prime minister wants this visit to produce a realistic and effective result, so that it will have a positive impact on the internal affairs of Iraq and reflect on the regional aspects and relations between Iraq and the United States.
“The Iraqi government is 100 percent serious about the withdrawal of the international coalition and the prime minister will not compromise on this issue,” he said.
Awadi stated the visit was originally scheduled for late last year but was delayed due to the Gaza war.
He said the attitude of Iraqis and Arabs in general was in solidarity with Palestinians, therefore the visit was postponed.
The spokesman noted an invitation to Sudani at a time when US elections are underway was a sign of respect for the prime minister.
