Saudi Arabian Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid al-Qasabi (C) and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim (3rd L) attend the opening ceremony of a new consulate in Baghdad, Iraq, April 4, 2019. The relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia have improved since Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in the capital Baghdad in 2016 after 25 years of closure. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
BAGHDAD, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Wednesday confirmed his government's intention to establish partnership with all Arab and neighboring countries.
Abdul Mahdi made the comments during his meeting with Nancy Lindborg, head of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), and her accompanying delegation in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
Iraq will "establish relations of partnership and cooperation ... with all Arab and neighboring countries in order to boost opportunities for development and economic prosperity and to distance the region from conflicts," said a statement by the prime minister's office.
For her part, Lindborg expressed readiness for cooperation and to support the Iraqi government's efforts in security, stability and social reconciliation.
USIP is an American federal institution tasked with promoting conflict resolution and prevention worldwide.
