By: Priyanshi Mishra
On Monday, the Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Seyed Ehsan Khandouzi, met with the Iraqi Minister of Trade, Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairy, in Baghdad to discuss ways to promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting took place as part of the 5th Iran-Iraq Joint Economic Commission meeting, which is being held in the Iraqi capital. During their discussions, the two ministers explored opportunities to strengthen ties in the field of trade and economy, with a particular focus on increasing bilateral cooperation.
Iran and Iraq have a long history of economic ties, and both countries stand to benefit from increased cooperation. Iran is a major supplier of energy to Iraq, while Iraq is an important market for Iranian goods and services. However, economic relations between the two countries have been strained in recent years, due in part to political tensions and the impact of international sanctions on Iran.
In light of these challenges, both Khandouzi and Al-Ghurairy emphasized the need for increased cooperation and dialogue between their countries. They discussed ways to promote trade and investment, as well as opportunities for joint ventures and collaboration in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
In addition to their discussions on trade and economic cooperation, the two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and security in the region and reiterated their commitment to working together to address common challenges.
Both ministers expressed their concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria and discussed ways to support efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. They also underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing issues of extremism and terrorism, which continue to pose a threat to stability and security in the region.
Another issue that was raised during the meeting was the impact of sanctions on Iran’s economy. While Iran has been subject to some international sanctions in recent years, the Iraqi government has continued to maintain economic ties with Iran, in part because of the two countries historical and cultural ties. However, the United States has applied pressure on Iraq to reduce its economic ties with Iran, creating a challenge for both countries.
During the meeting, Khandouzi emphasized the importance of finding ways to mitigate the impact of sanctions on Iran’s economy, and expressed his appreciation for Iraq’s continued support. Al-Ghurairy, for his part, reiterated Iraq’s commitment to maintaining economic ties with Iran, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by the current geopolitical climate.
The 5th Iran-Iraq Joint Economic Commission meeting saw discussions on trade and economic cooperation, as well as regional issues. The ministers emphasized the need for increased collaboration in trade, investment, and key sectors such as energy and infrastructure. They also discussed ways to mitigate the impact of sanctions on Iran’s economy. While Iran and Iraq have a long history of economic ties, political tensions and international sanctions have strained relations in recent years.
However, both ministers expressed their commitment to maintaining economic ties and working together to address common challenges. The meeting was seen as a positive step towards strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, and the ministers expressed their willingness to explore new opportunities for collaboration in the future.
Overall, the meeting between Khandouzi and Al-Ghurairy was seen as a positive step towards strengthening economic ties between Iran and Iraq. Both ministers expressed their willingness to continue to work together to promote trade and investment and to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the future. As the two countries look to navigate a challenging economic and geopolitical landscape, such collaboration will be key to ensuring their continued success and prosperity.