Sudani reveals progress in ending foreign military presence, 19 MARCH

   Sudani reveals progress in ending foreign military presence

Baghdad - Iraq Today:

Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani confirmed progress in ending the presence of the international coalition during his meeting with German Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Tobias Lindner and his accompanying delegation.

A government statement explained that "Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani, German Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, received Tobias Lindner and his accompanying delegation."

During the meeting, Al-Sudani stressed "Iraq's welcome to the presence of German companies and their participation in development projects and infrastructure construction," pointing to "the government's continuation in expanding the investment environment and attracting global expertise, especially with the launch of the development road project and the associated opportunities, and the imminent signing of an agreement by Iraq with Siemens, and other German companies, in the field of gas investment associated with electric power generation," according to the statement.

"The state of stability and security achieved today in Iraq, and the growing capabilities of our security forces, confirm progress in ending the presence of the international coalition and shifting to bilateral relations with member states, especially in the context of the defeat of the terrorist remnants of ISIS," al-Sudani said.

According to the statement, the Prime Minister touched on "the current situation in the Gaza Strip, and Iraq's endeavor to deliver the necessary humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip under aggression, and to support efforts aimed at a ceasefire and prevent the expansion of the conflict," and called on "the international community to take responsibility in stopping the approach of aggression and the war of genocide to which the Palestinian people are exposed."

The statement added, "For his part, Lindner expressed his appreciation for the size of development, economic growth and security improvement witnessed by Iraq," stressing "the German government's continuation in activating the joint action plan signed by the Sudanese with the German chancellor, during the recent Sudanese visit to Berlin."

He continued, "He also expressed his country's support for the government's steps to end the presence of the international coalition in Iraq," expressing "Germany's readiness to sign a bilateral cooperation agreement with Iraq in the security and military fields, as well as its support for Iraq's position on the need for a permanent ceasefire in the Palestinian territories, and to help the Palestinian people."