Iraq invites Saudi King to attend Arab Summit in Baghdad

The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, invited King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Sunday to participate in the Arab Summit, which will take place in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on May 17.

During his meeting with the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in the Saudi capital, Hussein delivered an official invitation from Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid to Farhan to participate in the upcoming Arab Summit, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

During their meeting in Riyadh, the two sides reaffirmed the strength of their bilateral ties as well as their desire to expand their cooperation in different areas.

Hussein highlighted the primary challenges facing the region, noting that strong cooperation between Iraq and Saudi Arabia can be beneficial in their Arab, regional, and global frameworks.

In terms of the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, Hussein indicated that there is a real opportunity to unlock new perspectives if the talks achieve their goals, warning that their failure might lead to catastrophic alternatives that undermine the security and stability of the region.

While expressing their profound worry over the latest developments in Syria, especially the frequent Israeli breaches, both parties emphasized that the country’s ongoing instability jeopardizes regional security.

Both parties emphasized the necessity of strengthening cooperation between Iraq and Saudi Arabia within the framework of OPEC and OPEC+, as well as the significance of complete coordination in this area to guarantee market stability.

Hussein highlighted the stability Iraq currently witnesses and the conclusion of Baghdad’s preparations to host the Arab Summit, which would cover both political and developmental elements. He also underlined the need to promote economic integration among Arab countries.

Farhan reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to deepen its bilateral ties with Iraq, emphasizing that the two countries’ collaboration is an essential part of regional stability. In addition, he emphasized that Saudi Arabia fully supports Iraq’s efforts to host the Arab Summit, citing its vital significance at this critical time.