Salih assures the need to reduce regional tensions

Baghdad - INA

President of the Republic, Barham Salih, assured today, Tuesday, to the US government delegation that Iraq is launching from a balanced policy that supports paths to defuse crises and reduce tensions in the region. 

The Media Office of the Presidency of the Republic said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "President Salih received today at Baghdad Palace, the American government delegation headed by the White House Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Brett McGurk, and the membership of the US State Department Adviser, Derek Chollet, and Assistant Minister The Foreign Ministry for Near Eastern Affairs, Joy Hood, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Affairs, Dana Stroll, discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in the political, security, economic and cultural fields in the context of the strategic dialogue between the two countries and in accordance with common interests. 

He added, "The importance of continuing work in combating terrorism and eradicating its roots in the whole region was emphasized, and the latest regional and international developments of common interest were discussed." 
President Salih said, according to the statement, that "Iraq is embarking on a balanced policy that supports paths to defuse crises and reduce tensions in the region." 
He pointed out that "Iraq's distinguished geographical location represented in the Mesopotamia Valley since ancient times, while enhancing its security and sovereignty, represents a pivotal factor and a starting point in facing the challenges related to combating terrorism and enhancing the peace of the region, facing environmental challenges and the causes of climate change and desertification, and working to promote clean energy and sustainable management of resources."
 
For its part, the American delegation affirmed Washington's commitment to supporting the security and stability of Iraq, ensuring its sovereignty, combating terrorism, strengthening its economy, and continuing work and joint coordination within the strategic dialogue between the two countries in various fields, in the interest of the two countries and two peoples.