Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat met with Iraq's Ambassador in Cairo, Ahmed Nayef Al-Dulaimi, to discuss preliminary steps for activating the joint High Committee for Economic Cooperation. The officials discussed holding the committee meetings under chairmanship of the prime ministers of both countries, to activate the agreement signed on 5 July 1988. The Ministry of International Cooperation is responsible for preparing the contract. During the virtual meeting, bilateral relations between Egypt and Iraq were discussed, in addition to the most important international developments of mutual concern, including the current global economic crisis and low oil prices. The impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were also brought up during the meeting. Minister Al-Mashat stressed the importance of the Egyptian private sector's participation in reconstruction projects in Iraq, as part of the strategic ties bringing the two countries together. Al-Dulaimi affirmed his country's keenness to enhance cooperation with Egypt through the joint high committee, and to work for the success of its activities. The ambassador also emphasised that the committee would contribute to deepening and upgrading the partnership between Egypt and Iraq. The meeting witnessed agreement on the need to strengthen the ties of bilateral economic cooperation relations and developing them in all its aspects, and consequently the resumption of the meetings of the Joint Egyptian-Iraqi Higher Committee for Economic Cooperation at the earliest time to be agreed upon. This committee is considered an important part of carrying out and developing joint cooperation, following up on what is being accomplished, and working to remove obstacles to this cooperation. It will also offer alternatives to overcome them. The committee's meetings are considered important for discussions on the various capabilities and resources available to Egypt and Iraq that must be maximised to serve the interests of both countries.
