Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday during his visit to the United States.
Dilan Ghafoor, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in the Council of Representatives and a member of the Iraqi delegation in Washington, told Channel8 that Sudani will hold a series of meetings with senior US officials.
Sudani is currently holding a meeting with Blinken at the White House ahead of his expected meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Ghafoor said political, security, and economic relations between the two sides will be discussed.
The Iraqi PM is scheduled to meet with Biden on Monday evening.
Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi told Iraqi News Agency last month that Sudani’s visit to Washington was to discuss the prospects for future relations after the international coalition, then to move on to comprehensive relations between the two sides, including security, the military, and reform.
Awadi referred to the strategic agreement signed in 2008 to end the mission of the international coalition, as well as financial issues and issues related to decisions from the US Treasury, the impact on Iraqi banks and the debt the country owes, in addition to regional issues, the Gaza war, and Iraq’s relations with neighboring countries.
He stressed the prime minister wants this visit to produce realistic and effective results, so that it will have a positive impact on the internal affairs of Iraq and reflect on the regional aspect and relations between Iraq and the United States.
The visit was originally scheduled for the end of last year, but was delayed due to the Gaza war, because of the feelings of Iraqis and Arabs in general in solidarity with Palestinians.
Awadi said welcoming Sudani at a time when US elections are underway was a sign of respect for the prime minister.
He also stated the Iraqi government is 100 percent serious about the withdrawal of the international coalition and the prime minister will not compromise on the issue.
