HH The Amir's Visit To Baghdad Highlighted By Iraqi Media 

Baghdad, June 17 (QNA) - The official visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to the sisterly Republic of Iraq on Thursday received intensive media coverage by Iraqi media outlets. HH the Amir met with HE Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani and they discussed bilateral cooperation relations and signed various bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding. Iraqi media said that the visit of HH the Amir serves as a strong push for expanding Qatari-Iraqi relations, strengthening their strong brotherly relations in various fields. Iraqi media said that the two countries are keen on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, transportation, amongst others, in addition to joint coordination with regard to many regional and international dossiers and issues of mutual interest, particularly regional developments. For its part, the first channel of the Iraqi TV and a number of satellite channels hosted numerous officials and political and strategic analysts to talk about the significance and outcomes of the visit of HH the Amir. Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Dr. Ahmed Al Sahhaf said that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani falls within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations, in addition to cooperation in implementing and developing Iraq's priority projects, especially those related to development. Al Sahhaf added that this visit to Iraq coincides with a historic stage in the life of the Iraqi government program, which approved a budget with ambitious development, economic and service goals in Iraq. In a statement to the Al Iraqiya news channel, Iraqi Government Spokesperson Dr. Bassim Al Awadi said that the visit of HH the Amir to Baghdad constitutes a positive and effective move towards advancing Qatari-Iraqi relations in various fields, noting the State of Qatar's positions in supporting the unity, stability, and prosperity of Iraq, as well as Qatar's support for the Iraqi people in materializing their aspirations for security and development. Iraqi Prime Minister Advisor Dr. Khalid Al Yaqoobi stressed his country's keenness on strengthening cooperation relations with the State of Qatar, especially in light of the important international status Qatar enjoys and its broad regional influence. Al Yaqoobi added, in an intervention with the Iraqi TV channel, Al Rabiaa, that HE Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani has a development roadmap for Iraq, in which the State of Qatar can play an important role in its implementation. For his part, Iraqi political analyst Wael Al Rikabi described the visit of HH the Amir as historic, adding that it serves as a significant support for Iraq's strategic vision, especially given Qatar's investment potential and its ability to lead projects towards success. Al Rikabi said in a statement to Al Ekhbariya TV channel that Qatar is a pioneer in foreign policy, energy, finance, transparency, and sport, making it imperative for Iraq to learn from this unique Arab experience, which is a source for pride. 

Ahmed Al Sharifi, an Iraqi security expert, stressed the great importance of the official visit paid by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Iraq on Thursday, especially in view of the important international status enjoyed by the State of Qatar. Speaking to Fallujah TV channel, Al Sharifi said talking about Qatar's pioneering experience is based on an objective scientific approach, as it has succeeded in overcoming the restrictions of geography by transcending the criteria of area or population and turning it in its favor, pointing to the success of its diplomacy as well as its success in crisis management and international relations thanks to the wise investment of its resources. He added that Qatar has transformed Hamad Port into one of the most important major seaports, and has succeeded in forming giant maritime supply chains, adding that Hamad International Airport is another witness to the unique Qatari experience as it is one of the most active, modern and flexible airports in the world, and Qatar has become an address for a promising experience that must be inspired and learned from. Director of the Iraqi center for studies Ghazi Faisal, who spoke to Zagros TV channel broadcasting from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, described the visit of HH the Amir to Iraq as exceptional by all standards, stressing that the State of Qatar has risen to the ranks of major countries thanks to its wise diplomacy and its ability in crisis management, and it has become an indispensable international partner. Talking to Iraqi One News channel, Iraqi MP Talib Al Yasari said that the visit of HH the Amir to Baghdad comes at an important stage through which the region is going, stressing that Qatar is an influential country with great economic potential, hoping that Qatar will be a major part of the crucial development road project in his country. For his part, Iraqi academic Dr. Khamis Al Khazraji said that the Iraqi economy relies a lot on the outcomes of HH the Amir's visit to Iraq in light of the many economic problems it faces. In an interview with the Iraqi Al Janoub channel, Al Khazraji said that Iraq is looking forward to Qatar being part of the strategic development project, given its great economic weight and international reputation. Iraqi political analyst Riyad Al Wahili stressed, in statements to the Iraqi Nawat News channel, that Qatar is gaining great importance, especially as it is a major player in the global gas market and has a long history in this field, stressing that strengthening cooperation between the two countries in this field is for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples. Political analyst Abdulmalik Al Husseini said Qatar has an important international reputation on the economic level, and its investments have grown in various fields around the world, especially energy and gas, adding that major countries are well aware of the importance and position of the State of Qatar. Al Husseini added that HH the Amir's visit to Iraq is an extension of the Qatari efforts to support Iraq's stability and prosperity as well as work to restore its normal role in the region. For its part, Al-Sabah newspaper of the Iraqi Media Network stressed the importance of HH the Amir's visit to Baghdad, noting that the State of Qatar is an influential player in the region and can support Iraq, and that strengthening relations between Qatar and Iraq in the field of investments and development would support Iraq economically and enhance confidence in the Iraqi market to encourage other countries to invest in it. 

Iraqi Newspaper Azzaman highlighted the joint statements by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE Prime Minister of the sisterly Republic of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani at the Prime Minister's Office during which HH the Amir said that his visit to Baghdad comes to emphasize the depth of consolidated and historical fraternal ties between the two sisterly countries and reflects the two countries' real desire to promote and consolidate them at various fields. His Highness affirmed that he would work on developing them in energy, investment, trade, and development fields. The Newspaper highlighted HH the Amir's confirmation that the two sides have agreed on the importance of constantly growing trade exchange between the two countries, as His Highness pointed out that the two countries signed a joint declaration of intent, alongside many agreements and memoranda of understanding, in addition to signing a number of agreements with private sector in Qatar which included energy, electricity, development of hotels, modern residential buildings and hospitals management in Iraq. In addition, the Newspaper focused on HH the Amir's announcement that talks also discussed regional initiatives to promote economic relations among countries of the region, including supporting developing GCC Electricity Interconnection system and linking South Iraq's network to provide Iraqi needs from electricity, where His Highness outlined that the State of Qatar participates in meetings of Iraq's development road project. The Newspaper highlighted His Highness's emphasis on Iraq's role and security in the region, and the State of Qatar continued support to the unity and stability of Iraq and to Iraqi people in achieving their aspiration to security and development. The Newspaper also noted Iraqi Prime Minister's emphasis on the importance of HH the Amir's visit to Baghdad which underscores the depth of growing relations between the two sisterly countries, pointing out that Iraq with its natural and human potential and geographical location and the State of Qatar with capabilities it possesses as well as the economic boom Qatar has achieved can together achieve integration in various levels for the benefits of the two peoples. Azzaman Newspaper also focused on bilateral meeting that was held by HH the Amir and HE Prime Minister of Iraq in which they tackled the overall cooperation ties between the two sisterly countries, in addition to discussing a range of issues of common concern. For its part, Addustor Newspaper dedicated wide spaces in its overage to the joint statements of HH the Amir and HE Prime Minister of Iraq in which His Highness stressed the importance of security and stability of Iraq, along with His Highness's emphasis that his visit confirms depth of consolidated, historical and fraternal ties between Qatar and Iraq. It noted HH the Amir's announcement that the talks discussed regional initiatives to bolster economic ties among countries of the region, including supporting and developing GCC Electricity Interconnection system and linking South Iraq's network to provide Iraqi needs from electricity. On the other hand, Al-Zawra newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate highlighted the signing of a joint declaration of intent and a number of memoranda of understanding. The Newspaper focused on HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's emphasis on His Highness's joint statements with HE Prime Minister of the sisterly Republic of Iraq Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in which the two sides agreed on the importance of continuous growth of trade exchange between the two countries. His Highness also pointed out that the two countries have signed a joint declaration of intent, along with a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding, in addition to several agreements with private sector in Qatar that included energy, electricity, development of hotels, modern residential buildings and hospitals management in Iraq. The Newspaper highlighted HH the Amir's confirmation on His Highness's official account on Twitter Qatar's support to unity and stability of Iraq and restoration of its crucial role in the region and the world, as His Highness pointed out that the talks he held with Iraqi Prime Minister addressed ways to develop cooperation between the two countries, in addition to regional and international issues of common concern. (QNA)