The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, announced today, Thursday, his rejection of any aggression on the Iraqi border, from the Turkish or Iranian side, and Iraqi sovereignty is not subject to any courtesy.

Al-Sudani said during a press interview in New York, with the American network CNN, published by his media office, “We are committed to not allowing any armed groups to exploit their presence on Iraqi soil to attack neighboring countries.”

He added: We are working to form security committees with Turkey and Iran, and identify important points and commitments that have been implemented, which will enhance stability on the borders.

He continued: We are currently holding discussions with the Turks, and we have confirmed our official position of rejecting the attacks and addressing any security observations through joint committees and dialogue.

He pointed out that: Iran is a neighboring country and we have many things in common. It is a country that supports the political process in Iraq, and in the fight against terrorism and the war against ISIS.

He added: The strategic framework agreement must be discussed and activated, which includes economic, educational, cultural and security files, and there is a serious desire to develop the bilateral relationship in other fields.

He stressed that Iraq does not need combat forces today, whether from the United States or from the rest of the international coalition countries. The Iraqi security forces have reached an advanced stage of readiness and capabilities. ISIS is no longer merely groups being pursued in the desert or caves, and does not pose a threat to Iraq.

He stressed that the new reality is based on cooperation in specific areas with the international coalition.

He stressed that “Iraq is an influential country in the energy market and there are many opportunities for American companies to work in various sectors.”

He stated that the Iraqi and American Ministries of Foreign Affairs are working to arrange the date of the upcoming visit to the United States of America, in response to the invitation of President Joe Biden, and we have received a draft of a memorandum of understanding from the US Department of Defense, which is now under study by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, related to the form of the relationship between Iraq and the international coalition.

Al-Sudani said: What concerns us is the continued security stability in Iraq, and this is happening for the first time thanks to the government and the political forces that formed it.

He added: Our relations with all countries are subject to the criterion of common interests and non-interference in internal affairs, stressing that we are concerned with the convergence of views between Iran and our Arab brothers, in a way that contributes to strengthening the stability of the region, and we are working on this matter and our efforts continue with Saudi Arabia.

He stressed: We have our national decision that is based on the national interest, and we are not subject to the desires of others, and we speak frankly with everyone in the event of a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. Our government established, in less than a year, complete energy independence, through Total projects, the fifth round, and national effort projects.

Al-Sudani stated, “Within two years, we will rely on Iraqi gas to operate power stations, and we possess large reserves of natural and associated gas, and our economic plan aims to make Iraq an active country in the global energy market.”

As for the economic issue, Al-Sudani confirmed: We are working to diversify the sources of our economy, invest in gas, and financial revenues to activate the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors, we have the potential to increase oil production, but this is subject to a well-thought-out policy inside Iraq, and with our brothers and friends in OPEC.

He added: We are working to change the stereotypical image of exploiting wealth in Iraq, and to go for the optimal investment of oil and its revenues in developing important sectors, while noting that cooperation with developed countries and with the United States as a strategic partner for Iraq will contribute to the success of this economic transformation.

Al-Sudani confirmed: Our people are waiting for the desired reform to be achieved, in an economy that the Iraqi state has followed for many decades.

He stated: “Corruption is a real challenge facing the Iraqi state, and we are working to target it according to legal procedures.”

He stressed, “We need the support of friends in fighting corruption and recovering money and wanted persons who exploit their second nationalities, and the international community must support Iraq in this endeavor.”

Al-Sudani pointed out that “climate changes represent an existential threat to Iraq, and we have adopted a national strategy to combat pollution, extending to 2035.”

Al-Sudani said: We identified the importance of addressing the impacts, starting from investing in gas that is burned, all the way to renewable energy, and we need the support of the international community in combating the effects of climate change, and we did not find any trace of the work of international institutions concerned with this responsibility.

Al-Sudani pointed out that “water scarcity greatly affects the marshes, and the decline in water levels in two large rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates, and we will call, through the United Nations platform, for the formation of an international bloc of countries in the region, Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, to confront the effects of climate change.”

As for the security situation, Al-Sudani confirmed: Our security services are concerned with ensuring security for all those arriving to Iraq, and the woman who entered Iraq with a Russian passport disappeared months ago, and we are following the disappearance process, and we are serious about revealing her fate, and we will not tolerate this matter.”

The Prime Minister continued: Iraq embraces tourist delegations and foreign companies, and the issue of security is a priority and cannot be tolerated.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency