Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi affirmed Iraq's keenness to benefit from Egypt's inspiring experience in building state institutions, achieving sustainable developments and carrying out national projects, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. Al-Kadhimi's remarks came as he met with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday on the sidelines of the Baghdad Conference on Cooperation and Partnership held in the Iraqi capital. Al-Kadhimi, during the meeting, expressed keenness to transfer the Egyptian experience to Iraq, especially in the fields of infrastructure and power. He also called for boosting economic cooperation as well as trade and investments between the two countries, the presidency added. El-Sisi affirmed the need to accelerate the implementation of joint projects between Egypt and Iraq so that the economic achievements between the two countries align with their political achievements. The meeting followed up on the executive position on the bilateral cooperation projects between the two countries in various fields, the Presidency said. El-Sisi and Al-Kadhimi also followed up on the implementation of trilateral cooperation projects involving Egypt, Iraq and Jordan. They affirmed the necessity to build on the outcome of the latest trilateral summit in Baghdad last June, the presidency added. The Iraqi premier hailed Egypt's role in supporting Iraq on all levels, especially in facing joint challenges, chief of which is counter-terrorism and achieving security, stability and development. He said the Egyptian role represents a strategic depth for his country on the regional and international levels Al-Kadhimi expressed willingness to enhance cooperation frameworks with Egypt on the bilateral level and also on the trilateral level along with Jordan. El-Sisi expressed appreciation of his visit to Baghdad, the presidency said, adding that it strengthens the established principles of the Egyptian policy to support Iraq and maximise the Iraqi Arab national role. This comes through establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries that is based on integration and the achievement of joint developmental goals. El-Sisi and Al-Kadhimi discussed the political and security situation in the region as well as developments of a number of regional issues of mutual concern. They also discussed Egyptian-Iraqi efforts to counter terrorism, extremist though and establish security and stability. El-Sisi's visit to Baghdad is his second to the Iraqi capital in two months. Delivering a speech at Saturday's summit in Baghdad, El-Sisi hailed the great achievements made in Iraq under the leadership of Al-Kadhimi. He also praised the great role played by the Iraqi army and police to eradicate terrorism. The president urged Iraqi people to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are slated for 10 October. He also affirmed Egypt's rejection of all foreign interference in Iraq's affairs and the illegal aggression on its territories.
