Last December, the State of Qatar participated in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, which was held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The State of Qatar’s delegation to the conference was headed by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. The Conference discussed ways to support Iraq, its sovereignty, security and stability, as well as developing regional cooperation mechanisms with it to enhance security and stability. It also dealt with challenges related to food, drug, and energy security in the region and the world.
During his visit to the Iraqi capital in March 2021, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani confirmed that the State of Qatar seeks to invest in projects in Iraq that provide job opportunities. HE said in a joint press conference with HE the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Mohammed Hussein, that he discussed with senior officials there how to develop and strengthen economic relations between the two countries, announcing that they agreed to reactivate economic cooperation between Qatar and Iraq. HE expressed his aspiration to expand investment and economic cooperation with the Republic of Iraq, indicating that there is an opportunity to support the stability of Iraq by presenting projects and creating job opportunities, and that these projects are of benefit to the two countries and people.
The State of Qatar participated in the Kuwait International Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq in February 2018, during which it announced the provision of a package of loans and investments in infrastructure and reconstruction projects in the Republic of Iraq at a value of one billion dollars, based on its firm desire to help the Iraqi people.
The State of Qatar has also provided, at the governmental and non-governmental level, all forms of humanitarian support to Iraq through humanitarian relief and development projects in education, health and other fields.
On June 8, HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi participated in the special celebration marking the start of the implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries electrical interconnection project with the Iraqi electricity network, which was held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This project, which is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Kuwait Fund For Arab Economic Development is to be completed in late 2024. It is the first of its kind to be implemented outside the electric system of the GCC countries, as it will work to meet part of the demand for electric power in southern Iraq.
In a statement on this occasion, HE Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi said that the “State of Qatar realizes the importance of extending bridges of cooperation and common action at the Arab level. Guided by the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, we spare no effort in supporting major strategic initiatives of this nature, which are pivotal in bolstering the region’s energy security and have a positive impact on its stability and sustainable development across all societal spheres”.
Source: Qatar News Agency