Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani confirmed before his departure to Washington that he will discuss with U.S. President Joe Biden the importance of calming tensions in Gaza, stopping the war, and ways to prevent the conflict from expanding in the region. Al-Sudani made a statement to the press before leaving on Saturday morning, emphasizing that this visit comes at a critical and sensitive time regarding relations with the United States and the current situation in the Palestinian territories, where crimes against innocents are ongoing, alongside fears of escalating conflict.
He explained that "the goal of the visit is to advance relations with the United States to a new phase that includes activating the terms of the Strategic Framework Agreement, which aligns with the government's program focusing on economic and financial reforms across various important sectors, as well as productive partnerships with various countries around the world."
Al-Sudani noted that "the visit to Washington will witness the first meeting of the joint high coordination committee responsible for implementing the Strategic Framework Agreement."
He emphasized that the meeting with President Biden will address the regional situation and the ongoing escalation, the mutual role in working towards de-escalation, and preventing conflict expansion that could impact global stability. The meeting will also review the work of the high military committee between Iraq and the international coalition, aiming to establish a timeline for concluding the coalition's mission and transitioning to bilateral relations with the participating countries.
He highlighted that the visit will include meetings with U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury, the National Security Advisor, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and senior officials in oil and industrial companies. He reiterated that "the visit carries the desire to build a sustainable strategic partnership based on mutual respect, preserving Iraq's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."
