INA - BAGHDAD

The finance minister, Taif Sami discussed on Tuesday with the US Ambassador to Baghdad, Alina Romanowski, government efforts to achieve economic reforms.

Sami received Romanowski and discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States focusing on economic cooperation, according to a statement by the Ministry of Finance - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The meeting discussed the development road project that links Iraq to Europe via Turkey and is "considered one of the largest strategic and vital projects, making Iraq a link between Asia and Europe."

The two sides discussed "the efforts made by the Iraqi government to achieve economic reforms," as Minister Sami stressed "the importance of partnership with the United States to achieve sustainable development in Iraq, and to enhance the financial stability that Iraq seeks at this stage."

Sami indicated that "economic cooperation between the two countries is one of the main factors for achieving these goals."

In turn, the US Ambassador stressed "the United States' commitment to continue supporting Iraq in several areas, especially in the economic and financial aspects, as part of the strategic partnership between the two countries."