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Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (left) and Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani (right) in Baghdad on June 17, 2023. Photo: Kurdistan Region Presidency
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The White House on Friday welcomed the recent visit of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Iraq and the participation of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in his meeting with Iraqi leaders.
“We… welcome the participation of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in these discussions to further enhance coordination between Baghdad and the Iraqi Kurdistan region,” Adam Hodge, spokesperson for the United States National Security Council, said in a statement.
The Qatari leader was welcomed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad on Thursday.
“Sheikh Tamim’s visit to Iraq underscores significant progress in ties between our nations. We look forward to building on improved relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with Qatar,” Barzani tweeted on Thursday.
Qatar reopened its Baghdad embassy in 2015 after shutting it during the 1990’s Gulf War when several regional and world powers suspended diplomatic relations over Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. It is also expected to open a consulate in Erbil.
Doha has improved its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including discussing a free trade agreement with Baghdad.
Hodge also welcomed the Qatari leader’s rare visit to Baghdad and the signing of several agreements.
“Additionally, the landmark project signed earlier this year with TotalEnergies together with U.S. and Qatari companies includes natural gas capture, a project that will serve the needs of the Iraqi people while reducing emissions,” he said.
Sudani’s office said on Thursday that several deals were signed between Baghdad and Doha.
“A joint declaration of intent was signed between the governments of Iraq and Qatar, for comprehensive cooperation in the political, economic, energy and investment fields. Additionally, two agreements in the fields of air and maritime transport, and a memorandum of understanding regarding the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports were signed,” read an official statement.
“We… welcome the participation of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in these discussions to further enhance coordination between Baghdad and the Iraqi Kurdistan region,” Adam Hodge, spokesperson for the United States National Security Council, said in a statement.
The Qatari leader was welcomed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad on Thursday.
“Sheikh Tamim’s visit to Iraq underscores significant progress in ties between our nations. We look forward to building on improved relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq with Qatar,” Barzani tweeted on Thursday.
Qatar reopened its Baghdad embassy in 2015 after shutting it during the 1990’s Gulf War when several regional and world powers suspended diplomatic relations over Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. It is also expected to open a consulate in Erbil.
Doha has improved its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including discussing a free trade agreement with Baghdad.
Hodge also welcomed the Qatari leader’s rare visit to Baghdad and the signing of several agreements.
“Additionally, the landmark project signed earlier this year with TotalEnergies together with U.S. and Qatari companies includes natural gas capture, a project that will serve the needs of the Iraqi people while reducing emissions,” he said.
Sudani’s office said on Thursday that several deals were signed between Baghdad and Doha.
“A joint declaration of intent was signed between the governments of Iraq and Qatar, for comprehensive cooperation in the political, economic, energy and investment fields. Additionally, two agreements in the fields of air and maritime transport, and a memorandum of understanding regarding the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports were signed,” read an official statement.
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