In a new diplomatic move reflecting the deepening relations between Riyadh and Baghdad, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a written message from His Excellency Mr. Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq. The message focused on the strong bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and explored ways to support and enhance them in various fields to serve common interests and bolster the security and stability of the region.
The message was delivered by the Undersecretary for Multilateral International Affairs, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, during his meeting today at the Ministry's headquarters in Riyadh with the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom, Ms. Safia Taleb Al-Suhail. The meeting included a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and a discussion of key issues of mutual interest on the regional and international stages.
Historical background and context of relations
This message comes in the context of a new and prosperous phase in Saudi-Iraqi relations, which have witnessed a strategic transformation in recent years. After a period of stagnation following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, relations began to gradually improve after 2003, culminating in the reopening of the Saudi embassy in Baghdad in 2015. The establishment of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council in 2017 was a pivotal turning point, providing an institutional framework for developing cooperation in all sectors, including energy, investment, trade, electricity interconnection, and transportation.
Strategic importance and expected impact
These diplomatic talks are of paramount importance both domestically and regionally. Domestically, strengthening relations contributes to supporting Iraq's efforts to achieve stability and reconstruction, and provides promising investment opportunities for Saudi companies in the Iraqi market. Among the most prominent projects reflecting this cooperation are the electricity interconnection project between the two countries, which aims to enhance the stability of Iraq's power grid, and the reopening of the Arar border crossing, which has revitalized trade between the two nations.
Regionally, the Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement is a cornerstone for achieving balance and stability in the Middle East. As two of the world's largest oil producers and prominent members of OPEC, the two countries coordinate their oil policies to ensure the stability of global energy markets. Their cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism also serves the security interests of the entire region and contributes to building a unified Arab front to confront shared challenges.
