Iraqi keenness to join the World Trade Organization

INA - BAGHDAD

President Abdul Latif Rashid affirmed on Monday, Iraq's keenness to join the World Trade Organization by achieving the required trade and economic standards.

“Rashid received the Saudi Ambassador to Iraq, Abdul Aziz Al-Shimmari, and the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the World Trade Organization and the Head of the team concerned with Iraq’s accession, Saqr al-Muqbel, as well as the accompanying delegation," said the Presidency’s Media Office in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

During the meeting, the Saudi ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman to the President and their wishes "to the Iraqi people for further progress and prosperity."

The President affirmed “Iraq’s keenness to join the organization by achieving the commercial and economic standards required in this regard,” praising “the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in bringing viewpoints closer and pushing towards establishing stability and peace in the region," appreciating, "the efforts made by the team concerned with joining Iraq to the World Trade Organization and its meetings with the National Committee for the purpose of accelerating the completion of this file and in a way that contributes to the development of the trading system as to achieve stability and sustainable development,” noting “the importance of benefiting from the experience of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this aspect.”

Rashid touched on "the positive developments in Iraq, which have had a positive impact on the overall lives of Iraqis," adding, "The government has attached importance to consolidating security and stability, developing economic activity, encouraging foreign investment in the country, in addition to consolidating relations with neighboring countries and the world, as Iraq has been an active member in most international organizations."

In turn, the Saudi ambassador affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness to support Iraq in international forums and stand by its side in enhancing security stability, development, and progress in the economic and energy fields, noting that “Iraq is moving forward towards the process of reform, development, and progress in various fields.”

In turn, Al-Muqbel reviewed the results of his meetings in Baghdad, which took place with the Iraqi National Committee for the Republic of Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization. He expressed his satisfaction with the steps taken by Iraq to implement the required standards, and affirmed “his country’s support for Iraq’s accession to the international organization.”

"Iraq's accession to the organization is a gain for the region and the world, as it will contribute to developing and expanding the progress achieved in financial services and improving the foreign investment environment," he included.