Iraq, Saudi Arabia make ‘quantum leap’ in bilateral relations

Abadi’s trip to Saudi Arabia was postponed because he wanted to avoid appearing to take sides in a political dispute between Qatar and other Arab nations.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Kurdistan24) – The Prime Minister of Iraq visited Saudi Arabia on Monday to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a joint statement from both nations.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to “heal troubled relations between the Arab neighbors,” Reuters reported.

The trip is the first leg of Abadi’s Middle East tour where he will also travel to Iran and Kuwait.

“The countries agreed to establish a coordination council to upgrade relations to the hoped for strategic level and open new horizons for cooperation in different fields,” a joint statement read.

The report added Baghdad and Riyadh had achieved a “quantum leap” regarding bilateral relations, stating further official visits were important.

In 2015, Saudi reopened its embassy in Baghdad after a 25-year break with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir recently visiting Iraq in February.

Abadi’s trip to Saudi Arabia, scheduled for last Wednesday, was postponed because he wanted to avoid appearing to take sides in a political dispute between Qatar and other Arab nations.

Speaking at a news conference in Baghdad following the Saudi-led boycott of Qatar, the Iraqi PM reaffirmed his country would not get involved in the diplomatic crisis.

“We are not part of these differences; we are keeping good relations with all the countries,” he told the assembly.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations cut ties with Doha earlier this month, accusing the country of supporting terrorism.

Qatar denied assertions made against it, labeling the decision from its neighboring countries to sever ties “unjustified.”