Baghdad calls on Washington to reconsider travel warnings, while the latter praises billion-dollar agreements.
4/26/2025
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein called on the United States on Friday to reconsider its security warnings regarding travel to Iraq.
This came during Hussein's meeting with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, in Washington.
Hussein said, "The security situation in Iraq is good and represents an additional factor attracting foreign investment. Some European countries have reconsidered their security assessments in Iraq," according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He stressed the importance of enhancing security cooperation and information exchange in the fight against terrorism, and praised Washington's role as the leader of the international coalition against ISIS.
Regarding developments in Syria, the Iraqi Foreign Minister called for the launch of a comprehensive political process that respects the rights of all Syrian components and contributes to strengthening regional stability. He noted that Syrian stability has a positive impact on Iraqi security, and that the underlying causes of concern in Syria must be addressed.
He also called for caution in dealing with prisons controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which hold approximately 10,000 of the most dangerous ISIS members.
On the economic front, the minister emphasized that Iraq has begun diversifying its energy sources and reducing its reliance on imported gas. He also called on American companies to increase their investments in the country.
The statement continued: "Both sides expressed optimism about the future of relations, and Fuad Hussein praised the role of the United States and its leadership of the international coalition to combat terrorism."
For his part, Secretary Rubio affirmed his country's commitment to supporting stability in Iraq and praised the joint efforts in the war against ISIS.
In a similar vein, according to the statement, the two sides discussed "opportunities to strengthen economic and trade partnerships. They commended the recent visit of a delegation of American businessmen and private sector leaders to Iraq, and the opportunity it provided to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries in the public and private sectors."
For his part, a US State Department statement stated that the two ministers discussed the importance of Iraqi sovereignty in achieving regional security and stability. The two ministers commended Iraq's efforts to promote regional calm and constructive dialogue.
Ministers Rubio and Hussein also discussed opportunities to expand economic cooperation and increase trade and investment between the United States and Iraq.
Rubio praised Iraq for hosting the first trade mission appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to Baghdad earlier this month, resulting in billions of dollars in agreements with American companies.