Al-Mashat Affirms Collaboration between Egypt, Iraq to Achieve Integration in Various Fields

Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat inaugurated on Friday the preparatory meetings at the ministerial level for the joint Egyptian-Iraqi High Committee, which is currently being held in Baghdad from October 28 to 31.

This is the third session of the committee ever since it was established in 1988. The first session took place in 1988 and the second was in 1989.

The closing meetings of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee are scheduled to take place on October 31.

Headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, they will look to implement the outcomes of the tripartite summit held last August between Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan.

During her speech at the opening session of the Ministerial Preparatory Committee for the Joint Egyptian-Iraqi Higher Committee, Al-Mashat stressed the existence of a strong will supported by a clear vision from the political leaders in Egypt and Iraq, to work to remove all obstacles towards strengthening joint cooperation between the two countries. This will help in achieving strategic integration at the economic, commercial, and investment levels.

She clarified that the Ministry of International Cooperation is looking forward to making this joint committee’s work a success. The ministry will follow up on its results and continuously communicate with all parties to remove any obstacles that might prevent the implementation of any of the committee's decisions.

“We will present discussions and documents we prepared that will help organize and develop bilateral relations in all fields to support our economic path and open up prospects for development, to the heads of the committee tomorrow,” Al-Mashat stated.

Suggested Areas of Cooperation

Al-Mashat explained that the agreements and cooperation proposals are crucial in strengthening the mutual relations between Iraq and Egypt.

The committee discussed cooperation in trade exchange and industrial collaboration, arrangements to establish a logistical area for storing Egyptian goods on the Iraqi-Jordanian borders, securing a commercial center for Egyptian products in Baghdad, the development of local industries, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the exchange of commercial information and data of exporters and importers.

This is all while ensuring the free movement of Egyptian goods to the Iraqi market and the entry of Egyptian trucks to Iraqi lands.

They also discussed cooperation in oil, gas, electricity, energy, housing, transportation, health, education culture, media, women empowerment, sports, youth, Egypt’s expertise in digital transformation, and the importance of collaborating in critical issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al-Mashat affirmed the mutual keenness on the Egyptian companies’ participation in infrastructure projects in Iraq. This is part of the Iraqi government's efforts to reconstruct the governorates affected by terrorist attacks, noting that there are distinct opportunities for Egyptian building materials and exports to enter the Iraqi market during the current stage and work to activate the land route between Egypt and Iraq.

This will contribute to revitalizing the intra-trade movement, increasing investments between the two countries, and maximizing the mutual benefit from both the Egyptian and Iraqi markets.

She added that the committee will also work to return Egyptian workers to the Iraqi market, especially in light of the historical role of Egyptian labor in Iraq during the 80s. Overall, the Ministry of International Cooperation is keen on upgrading bilateral relations between Egypt and Iraq in all fields because there is a national desire for Egyptian businessmen to be present in the Iraqi market and to participate in reconstruction projects.

The Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Business Council will hold its meeting on the sidelines of the committee, with the participation of Egyptian and Iraqi businessmen in Baghdad, said Al-Mashat. This is to lay down detailed scenarios for entering into commercial and investment partnerships that serve the interests of the two countries.

Al-Mashat also stressed the importance of advancing joint Arab support in all areas. Coordinating bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the face of unprecedented challenges facing the Arab nation at the present time needs regional cooperation. This includes the challenges of COVID-19.

She also praised the great effort made among the members of the preparatory committee over the course of two days, the recommendations they reached, and the bilateral draft documents that were prepared.

Prior to the currently ongoing meetings, the minister had met virtually with Iraq's ambassador in Cairo and a permanent representative to the Arab League, Ahmed Nayef Rashid Al-Dulaimi in recent months to discuss preparations for convening the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee meeting, the depth of Egyptian-Iraqi relations, and the government's aspiration to develop those relations.

Established and signed on July 5, 1988, the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee represents an important mechanism of Egyptian economic diplomacy to coordinate international cooperation frameworks with Iraq.