Alawi: Iraq Seeks to Enhance Arab Economic Cooperation at Baghdad Summit
Prime Minister's advisor, Hussein Alawi, confirmed on Thursday that Iraqi diplomacy has gained widespread Arab confidence. He noted that the Iraqi government seeks to formulate a unified Arab resolution at the Baghdad Summit, as well as to activate Arab cooperation on economic and development issues such as energy, trade, development, transportation, railway connectivity, and youth.
Alawi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that 'the Iraqi government is not merely acting as host of the Arab Summit in Baghdad, but is pursuing a clear approach aimed at proposing practical solutions to ongoing regional crises and fostering joint Arab cooperation across various sectors to shape a unified position. He noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani has expressed this vision in his recent meetings and public statements.
He added that the Arab countries have substantial opportunities to enhance trade, drive economic growth, and foster youth integration as a strategic response to the challenges of migration, as well as cultural and political pressures—objectives the Iraqi government seeks to shape and promote during the summit.
He affirmed that the summit will carry strategic messages of solidarity and unity, with a focus on major development projects such as railway and power grid integration, and support for the private sector, particularly in countries recovering from conflict and in need of effective partnerships.
He noted that Iraq has set clear priorities in its foreign policy and is now in a "year of harvest" under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, marked by advanced Arab relations, active diplomatic representation across all Arab countries, and engagement in shaping political and economic solutions.
Alawi praised the growing role of Iraqi diplomacy, which he said now enjoys broad Arab confidence, particularly given Iraq's involvement in key regional files such as the OPEC+ agreement, trade, and energy cooperation.
He emphasized that the government's approach to productive diplomacy has begun yielding results, most notably through the Development Road project, which has transitioned into a tangible reality. This project, he noted, has fostered partnerships with Qatar, the UAE, and Turkey, and has attracted invitations for Arab and international companies to participate in developing its strategic infrastructure.
Alawi noted that the Development Road will not be limited to transportation alone but will also include projects related to internet infrastructure and next-generation technologies such as 5G and beyond. He added that the initiative aims to establish a strategic link between East and West, contributing to reduced maritime transport costs and reshaping the region's economic landscape.
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