BAGHDAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi top officials on Wednesday held meetings with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), who is on an official visit to Baghdad, aimed at discussing means to enhance bilateral relations in all fields.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi met with al-Zayani and his accompanying delegation, and the two sides discussed the future of the relation between Iraq and the GCC state members, said a statement from the prime minister's media office.
Abdul Mahdi said that Iraq's foreign policy is "serious in establishing best relations with Arab and neighboring countries, and that Iraq cannot advance without cooperation and harmony with its Arab arena and its neighbors," according to the statement.
For his part, al-Zayani said that he "conveys the greetings of the leaders of the GCC and their political will and sincere intentions to support Iraq and its government, security, stability and prosperity," the statement said.
Al-Zayani stressed that "the Gulf leaders have taken a decision on the importance of strategic partnership with Iraq," it said.
Al-Zayani also met with Iraqi President Barham Salih, who "emphasized that the security, political, and economic circumstances in the Arab region require everyone to coordinate efforts, enhance cooperation, and converge viewpoints to attain stability and prosperity for the Arab people," according to a statement by Salih's office.
Salih called on the GCC state members to be open for dialogue in order to enhance peace in the Gulf and distancing it from conflicts and wars, the statement added.
Earlier, al-Zayani held a meeting with the Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim, and a statement by the ministry following the meeting said that "the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding for political consultations that allows for regular dialogues on issues of mutual interest."
The relations between Iraq and the Gulf countries have developed in recent years, especially with Saudi Arabia, which Abdul Mahdi recently paid a landmark visit to.
