Baghdad Conference stresses unifying efforts for region’s stability
BAGHDAD, Iraq (North Press) – The final statement of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership stressed the need to unify regional and international efforts in a manner that would positively reflect on the stability and security of the region.
Earlier today, the conference started in Baghdad with the participation of nine countries, namely Jordan, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and France, in addition to representatives of the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The conference was concluded by reading a statement by the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Hussein, who noted to the need to unify efforts, regionally and internationally, which would reflect on the stability and security of the region.
Regarding the absence of Syrian representation, the Iraqi minister said: “Syria understands the Iraqi position. We have always called for Syria’s return to the Arab meetings. Its absence from the conference is because the Syrian issue is disputed, and we wanted to stay away from contentious issues.”
The conference statement added that the participants welcomed the Iraqi diplomatic efforts to reach a common ground with the regional and international parties in order to strengthen political, economic and security partnerships, adopt constructive dialogue and consolidate understandings on the basis of common interests.
According to the statement, the region faces common challenges that require the countries of the region to deal with it on the basis of joint cooperation, mutual interests and in accordance with the principles of good neighborliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of countries and respect for national sovereignty.
During his speech at the conference, the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected what he described as all forms of interference in Iraq’s affairs and attacks on it.
The Egyptian president pointed out that “the tripartite cooperation between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq came to translate the political will of the three countries into reality.”