Advancing the Iraq-Gulf collaborative agenda

Iraq's ambitions to balance its economic and electricity relations were given a boost when Jasim Mohammed al-Budaiwi, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE), visited Baghdad on July 31, 2023. This visit holds significance for Iraq's internal politics and regional relations. The discussions during the meetings covered security coordination, drug control, investment, and electricity interconnection.

Budaiwi's Visit

During his visit, GCC Secretary General Budaiwi engaged with Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. This took place shortly after Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Salem Abdullah al-Jaber al-Sabah's official visit to Baghdad. Budaiwi emphasized the importance of boosting cooperation between Iraq and the GCC at all levels. He expressed support for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Discussions covered the 2019-2024 joint work plan and the electricity interconnection project. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, at a press conference after the meeting, highlighted Iraq's openness to Gulf companies and its encouragement of investment in the country. Security concerns for these companies were addressed as well.

Budaiwi expressed plans to integrate Iraq's economy into the Gulf economy, signaling increased economic cooperation. Hussein mentioned the government's economic diversification plans and investments in service projects and gas. The Gulf-Iraq Business Forum set for September 27-28 was also discussed as a significant development.

Iraq-GCC Cooperation

Budaiwi's talks encompassed topics of a political nature with Iraqi President Rashid, matters of security and collaboration with Prime Minister Sudani, and economic subjects with Foreign Minister Hussein. This visit has the potential to significantly impact Iraq's connections with nations in the Gulf region. The GCC has concentrated its efforts on bolstering ties with Iraq as outlined in the collaborative agenda spanning from 2019 to 2024. The GCC's engagements with Iraq are in harmony with their mutually shared political objectives.

For example, the energy grid project linking Baghdad with the Gulf, agreed upon by Saudi Arabia and Iraq in 2022, aligns with the joint work plan. Support from Sudani's government in October 2022 further reinforced these relations, as demonstrated by Sudani's visit to the UAE, showing keen interest in Iraq-Gulf relations.

The topics discussed in this visit directly impact Iraq's domestic policy, foreign relations, energy, and economy. Cooperation with Gulf nations in areas like economic integration and electricity can alleviate post-Gulf War tensions between Iraq and its Gulf neighbours. Former Iraqi premier Mustafa al-Kadhimi's balanced policy and Iraq's diplomatic ties with Arab nations, supported by Western allies, are encouraged. A joint statement during a Riyadh meeting in June, involving US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and GCC foreign ministers, underscored positive GCC-Iraq relations.

GCC's support in the economy and electricity sectors is crucial for the Sudani government's stability in Iraq. Given Iraq's reliance on oil and its electricity-related unrest, Sudani's government seeks international cooperation. Iraq, eager to diversify its economic and energy resources, views these opportunities positively. Budaiwi's invitation to Fuad Hussein for the GCC-Iraq Business Forum in Sharjah this September is significant. The forum is anticipated to offer new prospects for Iraq's development.

Expectations

Budaiwi's visit underscored the growing importance of collaboration between Iraq and GCC member states. His meetings with Iraq's President Rashid, Prime Minister Sudani, and Foreign Minister Hussein reaffirmed the mutual desire to enhance cooperation at multiple levels. The emphasis placed on Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity by Budaiwi indicated the GCC's respect for Iraq's autonomy.

Economic integration emerged as a key theme during the discussions. Budaiwi's expressed intention to integrate Iraq's economy into the Gulf economy highlights the GCC's commitment to fostering economic ties. This aligns with Iraq's own aspirations for economic diversification and the expansion of investments. The mention of the Gulf-Iraq Business Forum, scheduled for September 27-28, indicates the practical steps being taken to foster business and trade relationships.

Moreover, this visit's significance extends beyond economic and energy matters. The engagement covered security concerns, which are crucial in ensuring the stability of Iraq and the wider Gulf region. The willingness of Iraq to welcome Gulf companies and encourage investments while addressing security apprehensions demonstrates the country's dedication to creating a conducive environment for cooperation.

The positive undertone of this visit reflects the broader context of Iraq's efforts to strengthen its ties with neighboring Gulf states. The GCC's focus on enhancing relations with Iraq is in alignment with their shared political objectives. This collaboration not only contributes to Iraq's economic and energy ambitions but also has the potential to alleviate tensions in the region that have persisted since the Gulf War.

In light of Iraq's dependency on oil and the challenges related to electricity, GCC support in these areas assumes great importance. The stability of the Sudani government, which seeks international cooperation to address economic and energy challenges, is closely tied to GCC support. Mustafa al-Kadhimi's balanced policy approach and Iraq's diplomatic outreach to Arab nations, further underpin the constructive momentum in Iraq-GCC relations. If this balanced foreign policy can be carried out, Iran's share, which meets some of Iraq's natural gas and electricity needs, will also decrease. In addition, if the linking of energy grids between Turkey and Iraq is completed, the diversification of suppliers for Iraq's energy needs will also be achieved. This will positively contribute to Iraq’s energy security, thus enable Iraq to be continue its balanced foreign policy and ensure win-win situations in its bilateral relations.

Despite this context, the fact that Iraq is highly affected by regional developments is one of the major threats to balanced foreign policy efforts. Therefore, the fact that Iraq can have different positions with the Gulf countries due to regional equations can quickly reverse this positive atmosphere. As a result, apart from the positions of the two actors, regional and global dynamics can also be effective on Iraq's bilateral relations. From this point of view, in order for Iraq's regional diplomacy activism to continue, the conjuncture should be supportive.

Feyzullah Tuna Aygun graduated from Bahcesehir University. He is currently the Iraq Studies Expert at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) in Ankara. Aygun carried out field studies in 13 of Iraq’s 18 governorates and followed the 2018 and 2021 elections as an international observer. His opinions and interviews are published in both Turkish and international media outlets and journals.

Yusuf Can Ayaz graduated from Gazi University, Department of International Relations and has a master's degree from the Turkish National Defense University. He is doing  doctoral studies in the Department of International Security at the Turkish National Police
Academy and is the Iraq Studies Research Assistant at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) in Ankara.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.