Today's newspapers paid attention to Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani's assertion that the government's position is a confirmation of Iraq's firm position towards the Palestinian issue and the Prime Minister's visit to Russia.
Al-Zawraa newspaper, which is published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, focused on Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani renewing the government’s firm position on the Palestinian issue.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani chaired the forty-first regular session of the Council of Ministers, and during the session, developments in the general situation in the country were discussed, and the progress of implementing the basic files listed among the priorities of the government program was discussed, in addition to researching the topics listed on the agenda, and decisions are issued regarding it.
At the beginning of the session, the Prime Minister spoke, according to the statement, about the developments of events in the occupied Palestinian territories, as he stressed that the government’s position is a confirmation of Iraq’s firm position towards the Palestinian issue and the struggle of the Palestinian people, indicating that the current Palestinian uprising is a natural result of the extent of the injustice to which they have been exposed over the past period, he expressed his regret at the international community’s disavowal and selectivity in implementing its decisions, and its standing silent in the face of the violations and crimes to which the Palestinian people and Al-Aqsa Mosque were exposed.
He indicated the continuation of his contacts with Arab leaders, in addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ communication with Arab and Islamic countries, and the existence of discussions to hold a meeting of the Arab League or a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Regarding Al-Sudani’s visit to Russia, Al-Sabah newspaper said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani will head today to the Russian capital, Moscow, on an official visit that will last for two days, during which he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and will discuss several bilateral files with him. The two sides will also attend the activities of the “Russian Energy Week,” which begins tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Central Exhibition Hall in Moscow.
The newspaper said that the Russian “Sputnik” agency conducted a brief interview with the Prime Minister, which it published on its official website yesterday, Monday, before he left the capital, Baghdad, heading to Moscow. In it, he said: “We will begin our visit to the Russian capital, Moscow, in response to an invitation from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and it will be two days.”
Regarding the issues scheduled to be discussed during the meeting with Putin, Al-Sudani explained that they would include “bilateral issues and those related to security and stability in the region.” The Prime Minister answered a question about the possibility of Iraqi banks entering the Russian financial services market by saying: “It depends on the size of the trade exchange, because Iraq is moving towards an economy open to all global markets.”
Sputnik asked the Prime Minister about the nature of the currencies that Iraq takes into account in its international settlements? Is this issue already under discussion with Russia? He replied: “Historically, Iraq was in the sterling area and then it turned into the dollar area, as most of foreign trade is settled in the US dollar, and if the global system shifts to rely on a basket of currencies, Iraq will take into account its national interests at that time.”
Regarding the relationship with Turkey and the possibility of signing a bilateral security agreement similar to the agreement with Iran, Al-Sudani said: “Turkey is a neighboring country and we have relations of historical depth with Turkey, and there is a large trade volume, and dialogues continue to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and organize all common matters, including security issues,” he added, “There is communication regarding finding a practical mechanism to confront security challenges.”
Regarding Iraq’s role in bringing viewpoints closer between the countries of the region, Al-Sudani said: “Iraq has begun to regain its pivotal role in the region at all levels, and it will be present in the spaces where its role is effective and influential.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency