President: Our Relations with US Go Beyond the Military, Iraq Moves Confidently Toward Stability

Baghdad / NINA /- President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid affirmed that Iraq’s relations with the United States are not limited to the military sphere, but extend to multiple fields. He stressed Baghdad’s keenness to expand cooperation to include trade, investment, energy, water, and other vital sectors.

In an interview with Fox News, Rashid said: “Iraq today is a stable country moving confidently toward the future. We have begun implementing practical programs to improve citizens’ lives in the areas of basic services, infrastructure development, and agriculture.”

On the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq, the President explained that “the issue of withdrawal is subject to ongoing dialogue between the Iraqi and American governments,” expressing confidence that a mutual understanding would be reached that safeguards the interests of both countries.

Regarding relations with Iran, Rashid noted that the two neighbors share “a border of over a thousand kilometers, intertwined interests, and historic ties that cannot be ignored.” He stressed, however, that Iraq’s national decision-making “is independent and made internally, based solely on Iraqi will and free from external influence.”

On Baghdad–Erbil relations, the President confirmed that the longstanding dispute over oil exports “has already been resolved, marking an important step toward strengthening Iraq’s unity and economic stability.”

Speaking about the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for November, Rashid described them as “a pivotal milestone that reaffirms Iraq’s commitment to democracy and represents a key step toward renewing political life through a new parliament chosen freely by the people.”

The President also welcomed the recognition of Palestine by several countries, calling it “a positive development that reflects the just nature of the Palestinian cause,” and expressed hope that it would serve as a starting point for serious international efforts to secure Palestinian rights. / End