Deputy King confirms a strong relationship with Iraq in all areas

[The SC]

Dubai, UAE

The Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met in Jeddah today evening with Iraqi Minister of Oil Engineer Jabbar Al-Luaibi.

The Saudi Crown Prince affirmed the keenness of the Kingdom's government to stabilize Iraq and its determination to develop and strengthen relations in all fields, in the interest of the peoples of the two countries.

The meeting reviewed joint opportunities in the economic fields in general and energy in particular, including the opening of land ports, direct flights and the promotion of trade and investment from the private sector.

The discussion also touched on the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of oil policy coordination, and affirmed the two countries' full commitment to the agreement to reduce oil production until the markets reached the target balance of this agreement.


https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/saudi-...كد-على-علاقة-قوية-مع-العراق-بكل-المجالات.html


Saudi Arabia and Iraq confirm their commitment to the agreement to reduce oil production

http://www.youm7.com/story/2017/8/1...-التزامهما-باتفاقية-خفض-إنتاج-البترول/3360855


«Energy and petrochemicals» anchored Iraq index in Jubail

http://www.okaz.com.sa/article/1563966/اقتصاد/الطاقة-والبتروكيماويات-ترسو-بمؤشر-العراق-في-الجبيل

 

[The SC]

"Civil Aviation" sign a memorandum of understanding on air transport with Iraq - News Saudi Arabia Okaz Newspaper

http://www.okaz.com.sa/article/1563...ني-توقع-مذكرة-تفاهم-حول-النقل-الجوي-مع-العراق

Military and intelligence cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iraq

Restoring Iraq to the Arab incubator

http://www.okaz.com.sa/article/1563888/كتاب-ومقالات/استعادة-العراق-للحاضنة-العربية

Iraq wants to restart the oil pipeline across Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Iraq's former oil minister and head of Iraq's oil and energy committee, MP Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum, said it was necessary to restore Iraq's oil pipeline through Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea.

Bahr al-Ulum said in a statement to Al-Hayat newspaper that this line is one of the most important projects carrying oil, which was established with Iraqi funds from the Iraqi oil sources to the ports of Yanbu Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea.

He expected that there will be a positive response by the Kingdom in this regard that the political atmosphere is appropriate, and there is great convergence between the two governments in a format that allows Iraq to open several files stuck between the carrier line, debt, and joint wells and gas oil cooperation .

https://www.mubasher.info/news/3145312/العراق-يرغب-في-إعادة-تشغيل-خط-أنابيب-نفط-عبر-السعودية


Immediate measures to facilitate the export of Saudi products to Iraq

REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser - RTSGJ5Z

Saudi - Iraqi agreement on the stability of world oil markets

https://aawsat.com/home/article/995721/اتفاق-سعودي-–-عراقي-على-استقرار-أسواق-النفط-العالمية

Saudi Arabia looks forward to economic rapprochement with Iraq

Al-Falih said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources on Thursday that the economic relations will be "more active and more cooperative in the field of trade exchange between the Kingdom and Iraq, as well as in the field of joint investment of companies and businessmen between the two countries."


Habib Sadr: a breakthrough in relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the coming period

The relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia will witness a boom in the coming periods, pointing out that the developments between the two countries are increasing and will increase after the next Eid al-Adha coming back working at the border crossings between Iraq and Saudi Arabia like those in Arar and Gemayya.

In a special statement to Sadi al-Balad, al-Sadr stressed that relations between the two countries will witness a development in terms of trade exchange and Saudi air traffic at Iraqi airports, noting that a consulate will be opened in Najaf in Iraq.

The Iraqi ambassador said that Iraq and Saudi Arabia have good relations between them for a long time, so we do not forget that there are tribal extensions between the two countries. The late Saudi King Abdullah had an Iraqi wife belonging to the Shammar tribe.

He pointed out that tens of thousands of Saudi visitors visit holy sites in Iraq, so in some seasons, more than 100,000 Saudis gather in Karbala and Najaf, who need those who care for them and inspect their affairs.


TRITON, Today at 17:29

 

[Saif al-Arab]

@The SC

Extremely pleasing and wonderful that concrete agreements and long overdue steps have been taken across a number of fields such as economy, defense, investments, military, infrastructure, etc. It was about time!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sadr's leader in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, described Riyadh as a "father", saying that Saudi Arabia had proved its strength and was working to bring peace to the region. He also touched on Sadr's statements to his position on the departure of Assad and the separation of the Kurdistan region.

View attachment 417775

Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, pointed to a similarity in visions during his meeting in Jeddah last month with the Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, stressing that Riyadh is the "father" Working to bring peace to the region.

In an interview with the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper on August 11, 2017, al-Sadr said they discussed several files of the region, including Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Jerusalem, Iran-Saudi relations, In Riyadh, pointing out that the meeting was frank between the parties.

Al-Sadr pointed out that all the differences that prevail in the region can be solved gradually even if it took time, noting that this includes the status quo between the four countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE, on the one hand, Qatar, on the one hand, considering that the latter is sensitive to compromise, She will retreat, and will return to her Arab bosom little by little.

http://www.dw.com/ar/مقتدى-الصدر-الرياض-بمثابة-الأب-للجميع/a-40053907

People did not believe me when I said 2 years ago that it was a question of time before KSA-Iraqi relations were back on track and the abnormality post-US invasion in 2003 until after Al-Malikis horrible reign was over, was that, an abnormally.

From yesterday:

Saudi Crown Prince affirms strong ties with Iraq in all fields

Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed the keenness of the Saudi government to stabilize Iraq in a meeting with Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Allaib. (Supplied)

Staff writer, Al Arabiya EnglishThursday, 10 August 2017

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Allaibi, Wednesday evening in Jeddah.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed the keenness of the Saudi government to stabilize Iraq and its determination to develop and strengthen relations in all fields, in order to serve the best interest of the people of both countries.

During the meeting, joint opportunities in the economic field were discussed, highlighting energy in particular.

The two parties also discussed the opening land routes, launching direct flights and encouraging trade and investment from the Saudi private sector.

The discussion also touched on the close cooperation between the two countries in the oil field, stressing their full commitment to the agreement to reduce oil production until the markets reach the target balance.

Last Update: Thursday, 10 August 2017 KSA 03:14 - GMT 00:14

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/Ne...irms-strong-ties-with-Iraq-in-all-fields.html

https://twitter.com/x/status/888081693940342788

BTW the Iraqi interior minister Qassim al-Araji

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qasim_al-Araji

visited Riyadh and met with MBS:

Blood is thicker than water. Always will be.

 

[The SC]

@Sharif al-Hijaz

Extremely important:

Iraq previously has developed the "Explosive Plan" 1972/1974 which in less than 10 years, has moved Iraq from an "agricultural" state to a military industry and oil industry state as the strongest in that time among the Third World countries..And the final stage of the Iraqi vision named the "Explosive Plan" was to begin in 1990 and end in 2002..

The optimists at the time were saying Iraq would become like Western European countries in the means of production and scientific research, 2003 in Iraq had 100 thousand scientists..

So, it will be more than valuable to use the scattered Iraqi cadres in the diaspora, who worked on the "Explosive Plan" To use their expertise in the Saudi 2030 plan..Because they have a great and rich experience in the difficult stages of a huge project..

 

[Saif al-Arab]

@Sharif al-Hijaz

Extremely important:

Iraq previously has developed the "Explosive Plan" 1972/1974 which in less than 10 years, has moved Iraq from an "agricultural" state to a military industry and oil industry state as the strongest in that time among the Third World countries..And the final stage of the Iraqi vision named the "Explosive Plan" was to begin in 1990 and end in 2002..

The optimists at the time were saying Iraq would become like Western European countries in the means of production and scientific research, 2003 in Iraq had 100 thousand scientists..

So, it will be more than valuable to use the scattered Iraqi cadres in the diaspora, who worked on the "Explosive Plan" To use their expertise in the Saudi 2030 plan..Because they have a great and rich experience in the difficult stages of a huge project..

You are right brother. However sadly a lot of those highly competent people are found in the diaspora, have retired, perished in all the successive wars and conflicts or been jailed post 2003 due to association with the previous government. Many relocated to other Arab countries as well.

I fully agree that Iraq should use the experience and competence of those people despite them having ties to the previous government.

A lot of highly talented Arab defectors or regime critiques (forced to leave their countries or doing so willingly) should be attracted back by every Arab country whether Iraq, Egypt or KSA.

This is a very encouraging and much needed step talking about Iraq:

Posted by @TheCamelGuy

"So they've restarted the manufacturing of missiles. In the 80's and 90's the country produced some 600-800KM range missiles.

For the project they got Iraq's missile scientist back out of retirement and hired a Soviet era Russian missile scientist some sources say. Based on a vid report of defense official last years they stated the plan to produce a 250KM range ground-ground missile, this project will likely grow to that range and beyond.

Yaqeen-1 is short range, uses solid-fuel. It's a signal that they'll head back to the longer range missiles, though I believe they're not very effective with conventional warheads it's probably to wield some strategic strike capability for deterrence in the future.

https://www.reddit.com/r/path%3D%252Fr%252Fsyrianconflict%252Fcomments%252F6j7rr4%252F

"​

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/iraqs-newly-produced-missile-yaqeen-1.511371/

 

[The SC]

You are right brother. However sadly a lot of those highly competent people are found in the diaspora, have retired, perished in all the successive wars and conflicts or been jailed post 2003 due to association with the previous government. Many relocated to other Arab countries as well.

I fully agree that Iraq should use the experience and competence of those people despite them having ties to the previous government.

A lot of highly talented Arab defectors or regime critiques (forced to leave their countries or doing so willingly) should be attracted back by every Arab country whether Iraq, Egypt or KSA.

This is a very encouraging and much needed step talking about Iraq:

Posted by @TheCamelGuy

"So they've restarted the manufacturing of missiles. In the 80's and 90's the country produced some 600-800KM range missiles.

For the project they got Iraq's missile scientist back out of retirement and hired a Soviet era Russian missile scientist some sources say. Based on a vid report of defense official last years they stated the plan to produce a 250KM range ground-ground missile, this project will likely grow to that range and beyond.

Yaqeen-1 is short range, uses solid-fuel. It's a signal that they'll head back to the longer range missiles, though I believe they're not very effective with conventional warheads it's probably to wield some strategic strike capability for deterrence in the future.

https://www.reddit.com/r/path%3D%252Fr%252Fsyrianconflict%252Fcomments%252F6j7rr4%252F

"​

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/iraqs-newly-produced-missile-yaqeen-1.511371/

The good news is that some of those Iraqi scientists are in Morocco and in the UAE..and ome positive results have been seen in both countries, so let's hope some of them will be moved to or at least cooperate with KSA..

 

[Saif al-Arab]

The good news is that some of those Iraqi scientists are in Morocco and in the UAE..and ome positive results have been seen in both countries, so let's hope some of them will be moved to or at least cooperate with KSA..

We need a peaceful and united Syria to take part in such regional Arab projects, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and remaining GCC states onboard too. Talking about the immediate neighborhood only. What is there to lose? The answer is nothing. What is there to win? The answer is a lot of things. All it takes is clever leadership and political will. The average person would want to see such thing happen.

For instance the average investor would like to invest and cooperate with like-minded people from the region like it is done in the West for instance. It should not be a challenge but something completely normal.

No language barrier or anything else.

Such steps were present as far back as the late 1950's and especially in the 60's and 70's where nationalists ruled Arab countries and most of those nationalists wanted a strong Arab world as it benefited/would eventually benefit everyone. Of course as usual there were good and bad leaders with their own agenda but the people were onboard always and will be again.

For instance the GCC railway that is being built. That should be connected to Iraq next door and in the future Jordan, Syria and Egypt (once that bridge/causeway between KSA and Egypt has been built) next door too.

MbS seems to want such things which is why he is meeting with many different leaders from the Arab world with different ideologies. This is the right step forward. Although I would not exactly celebrate if this occurred personally, KSA should restore ties with Al-Assad too under certain conditions. He might be angry that the government did not take his side but who did apart from 2-3 countries? I mean if that means that the average Syrian can be helped and the country rebuilt. Al-Assad will die eventually like everyone else and the regime will reform if it will even rule in say 10 years time (doubtful). The key here is not for leaderships to think only about the short gains. For instance the policy in Iraq post 2003 was a failed one. The government and many other Arab states did not recognize the invasion and new people in power that come from nowhere (most of them). Instead they should have engaged with such people more closely. This gave the opportunity for the Mullah's. Fail. Anyway Iraq can cooperate with Mullah's (as other Arab states do as well, including GGC states, no need to mention any names here but UAE is relevant here for instance or Oman) but it should not be a harmful influence as we have seen on many fronts. Anyway that is another chapter. Here it is about Arab countries and the policies of the leaders.

Seems that young leaders understand this. The old ones are still using old tactics.

Another thing, corruption should be combated much more. Harsh penalties should be given to officials who are corrupt. Here following the Chinese model would not be bad to restore law and order. The existing systems won't solve this fully. I doubt it.

Anyway increased education will help solve most of the problems and challenges eventually which is why every country should spend a lot of money on education.

If I was Abadi I would invest heavily in new universities and learning centers as this is the best investment that you can make. Even from an economic point of view. Iraq should built something like KAUST in Basra or Baghdad. Two good candidate cities. Another one in Mosul so every region (South, Central and North) is covered. Sign memorandums of understanding and sign cooperation deals with existing regional universities and international ones. This can be done quite easily as well. This way you increase your chance of keeping the most talented people inside the country.

Easier said than done but what I have mentioned are not impossible tasks. Not at all.

This is also relevant when it comes to military cooperation. For instance the Saudi Vision 2030 and the Egyptian Vision 2030 should cooperate (which they will) but also with other Arab states. Nothing to lose either. Very simple and common sense.

Anyway let us see what the future will bring and enough of blabbering for now.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Saudi Arabia, Iraq discuss economic opportunities in Jeddah meeting
MOHAMMED AL-SULAMI | Published — Friday 11 August 2017

JEDDAH: Saudi Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih discussed economic opportunities in a meeting with visiting Iraqi Oil Minister Jabar Al-Luaibi.
Al-Falih told Arab News that they discussed Iraq’s huge mineral reserves, which have yet to be explored or invested in.
They also discussed the country’s fertile agricultural land as Iraq is rich with water, he added.
Al-Falih said Al-Luaibi, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation, affirmed Iraq’s commitment to reducing oil exports to shore up prices. Al-Falih said they agreed to open offices for big Saudi corporations in Iraq to assess the market, with the aim of exporting high-quality Saudi products directly rather than via third parties.
This will be facilitated by the opening of border crossings between the two countries, the Saudi minister said.
Companies that stand a good chance of entering the Iraqi market include the Saudi Basic Industry Corp. (SABIC), the Saudi Arabia Mining Co. (Maaden) and Saudi Aramco.
Al-Luaibi told Arab News that his visit to the Kingdom was successful.
He expressed delight at the projects he saw during his visits to SABIC, Aramco and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yabu.
He said he highly valued the chance to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who stressed the Kingdom’s keenness in Iraq’s security and welfare, and highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, industry and agriculture.
Al-Luaibi said anticipated bilateral investments may exceed tens of billions of dollars, adding that this is a strategic objective for Iraq.
He said his country’s oil policy matches the Kingdom’s in terms of reducing exports, adding that Iraq’s exports currently stand at 195,000 barrels per day.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1142916/business-economy

Iraq urges Saudis to invest in agricultural projects
MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN | Published — Thursday 20 July 2017

Iraqi Agriculture Minister Falah Al-Lahibi speaking at a meeting with Saudi businessmen in Riyadh on Wednesday. To his right is Sami Al-Obaidi, vice chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers. (AN photo)

RIYADH: Iraq’s agriculture minister on Wednesday urged Saudi businessmen to invest in mutually beneficial agricultural projects in his country.
Falah Al-Lahibi was addressing members of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) at a meeting chaired by its Vice Chairman Sami Al-Obaidi at the council’s headquarters in Riyadh.
Al-Lahibi, leading an Iraqi delegation, urged Saudi businessmen to learn about his country’s promising investment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
The meeting, attended by Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom Rushdi Al-Ani, discussed ways to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations, and reviewed investment opportunities in both countries.
Al-Lahibi reviewed Iraq’s agricultural sector, its economic importance and its investment potential.
He said there are promising opportunities due to the availability of water, fertile land, expertise and labor, as well as the geographic proximity between the two countries. He added that investing in Iraq is now safe as security has stabilized.
Welcoming Al-Lahibi, Al-Obaidi expressed Saudi interest in investing in Iraq. He called for joint efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment in viable ventures in the agricultural sector, which is an important way to diversify sources of income in the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1132136/saudi-arabia

Great videos and they serve as another example (out of millions in this particular case) of blood always being thicker than water and this always triumphing in the end despite occasional disagreements between the particular regimes in power.

 

[Simbabw]

@Sharif al-Hijaz do you see any positive developments regarding Iran-KSA relations

 

[Saif al-Arab]

@Sharif al-Hijaz do you see any positive developments regarding Iran-KSA relations

It is possible at one point in time. Maybe not now but it is neither in KSA's or Iran's interests for the proxy wars and hostility to continue really. It serves little purpose politically, economically etc. as no regional country in the region will ever dominate everything.

The relations pre-1979 were cordial or at least normal. There was not any hostility really as far as I know but I was born almost 15 years after that event so this is before my time but at least I know that Iran had relatively good ties with today's GCC and much of the Arab world. Anyway I don't know of such proxy wars occurring in say the 1930's or 1940's for instance.

Don't forget that the people of Arabia (Eastern Arabia) and Southern Iran (Iranian Arab and Persian heartlands of Iran) have millennia old ties and intermarriages have taken place for a very long time. In this way the current hostility is very much overrated in the sense that there is no real reason aside from a few ancient incidents of a everlasting hostility to occur. In fact both Arabs and Persians if anything should direct their hatred against Mongols (which would be stupid as well) considering what they did (especially in Iran) some 800-700 years ago. Massacring millions of people and destroying numerous towns completely. Unprecedented savagery in other words.

BTW I hope that you are not an anti-Arab otherwise we are wasting our time here. Anyway your question is off-topic but I replied anyway and it's not really a problem.

 

[Simbabw]

It is possible at one point in time. Maybe not now but it is neither in KSA's or Iran's interests for the proxy wars and hostility to continue really. It serves little purpose politically, economically etc. as no regional country in the region will ever dominate everything.

The relations pre-1979 were cordial or at least normal. There was not any hostility really as far as I know but I was born almost 15 years after that event so this is before my time but at least I know that Iran had relatively good ties with today's GCC and much of the Arab world. Anyway I don't know of such proxy wars occurring in say the 1930's or 1940's for instance.

Don't forget that the people of Arabia (Eastern Arabia) and Southern Iran (Iranian Arab and Persian heartlands of Iran) have millennia old ties and intermarriages have taken place for a very long time. In this way the current hostility is very much overrated in the sense that there is no real reason aside from a few ancient incidents of a everlasting hostility to occur. In fact both Arabs and Persians if anything should direct their hatred against Mongols (which would be stupid as well) considering what they did (especially in Iran) some 800-700 years ago. Massacring millions of people and destroying numerous towns completely. Unprecedented savagery in other words.

BTW I hope that you are not an anti-Arab otherwise we are wasting our time here. Anyway your question is off-topic but I replied anyway and it's not really a problem.

Question was actually very valid as Iraqs security is tied to Irans and to the whole region, it is a tangled mess. To be honest, nowadays it is all about 2 countries in the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia. Others are minor.

I am for improving ties with any nation on earth and that includes Saudi Arabia. I don't get this whole rivalry thing its of no use. The type of rivalry i would encourage is in the field of technology and economics. That should be the focus. And i would brand it as ''positive rivalry''.

I don't hate any Arab because of events happened thousands of years ago. Current Arabs didn't partake in any violence against Iran back then. Nothing to do with today so can't hate, logically.

Looking from a historic perspective i think the current generation of Arabs and Iranians are unlucky to be born in this era. Who knows what the future will look like. Possibly better with the newer generation less brainwashed.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Question was actually very valid as Iraqs security is tied to Irans and to the whole region, it is a tangled mess. To be honest, nowadays it is all about 2 countries in the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia. Others are minor.

I am for improving ties with any nation on earth and that includes Saudi Arabia. I don't get this whole rivalry thing its of no use. The type of rivalry i would encourage is in the field of technology and economics. That should be the focus. And i would brand it as ''positive rivalry''.

I don't hate any Arab because of events happened thousands of years ago. Current Arabs didn't partake in any violence against Iran back then. Nothing to do with today so can't hate, logically.

Looking from a historic perspective i think the current generation of Arabs and Iranians are unlucky to be born in this era. Who knows what the future will look like. Possibly better with the newer generation less brainwashed.

I agree very much with everything that you wrote.

Saudi-Iraqi border crossing to reopen after 27 years

Arab News | Published — Tuesday 15 August 2017

JEDDAH: Al-Jadidah Arar border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, which has been closed for some 27 years, will soon reopen for trade following bilateral rapprochement, according to the Saudi Makkah Daily.

Iraqi pilgrims continued to use the crossing during the years of closure, while Saudi Arabia welcomed them and facilitated their pilgrimage.

In preparation for the crossing’s inauguration, the Saudi chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, Abdul Aziz Al-Shammari, and the Iraqi ambassador in Riyadh, Rashidi Mahmoud Al-Ani, visited the Saudi Northern Borders Province and met its Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khalid in his office.

They toured the crossing facilities and talked to officials from both countries as well as Iraqi pilgrims. Al-Shammari told reporters that the Iraqi side is keen to cooperate.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1145006/saudi-arabia#photo/0

About time. Now family members can visit each other using a car.

@TheCamelGuy @SALMAN F

Sanity is prevailing from the leaderships in power.

Saudi Arabia to launch joint trade council with Iraq
Arab News | Published — Tuesday 15 August 2017

RIYADH: The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, decided on Monday to set up the General Authority for Military Industries, which enjoys legal status as well as financial and administrative independence.
The agency aims to regulate the military industry in the Kingdom, develop and monitor its performance, and do everything necessary to achieve its objectives.
The Cabinet decided that the authority shall have a board of directors chaired by the deputy prime minister and comprising the minister of energy, industry and mineral resources, the minister of finance, the minister of trade and investment, and the chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Military Industries Co.
Last Wednesday, the state-owned Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the launch of a national state company for arms manufacturing to produce thousands of jobs in the Kingdom. The new company, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the sovereign wealth fund PIF said in a statement.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq will also launch a joint trade commission, the Saudi Cabinet announced on Monday. “The Cabinet has decided to approve the establishment of the Saudi-Iraqi Coordinating Commission and to delegate the Saudi minister of trade and investments to sign on behalf of the kingdom,” read a statement carried by the press agency SPA.
The two countries had no diplomatic relations for a quarter of a century. They were severed in the wake of Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, after which Saudi Arabia was the launchpad for a US-led coalition to remove Iraqi forces.
The Cabinet praised the positive developments achieved by the state budget in the second quarter of the fiscal year 1438/1439 (2017), which were represented in progress in revenues, improvement in spending efficiency, a drop in the deficit, and maintaining the level of basic services provided to citizens.
The Cabinet also reviewed the quarterly financial report which reflected progress in the achievement of a balanced financial performance in the medium term, and the effectiveness of economic reforms under the National Transformation Program and Vision 2030, which contributed to the generation of more non-oil revenues.
The Cabinet was briefed on the preparations of ministries and sectors participating in serving pilgrims and providing comfort for pilgrims and visitors of the Two Holy Mosques and holy sites. In this context, the Cabinet vehemently rejected the politicization of Hajj.
The Cabinet expressed thanks and appreciation to the crown prince on his directives to support 14 charity organizations in the Riyadh region with SR23 million ($6.1 million) from his own account.
The Cabinet praised the graduation of the first batch of those participating in the operations Decisive Storm and Restore Hope. They represented non-regular students of Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University. The Cabinet appreciated their determination to pursue their studies and, at the same time, defend the country.
On the global front, the Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of terror acts in Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burkina Faso and France, and its sympathy with the governments and peoples of these countries against all forms of terrorism and extremism.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1145026/saudi-arabia

Jarallah hints at Saudi crown prince's visit to Iraq
August 14 2017 03:21 PM

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

Statements of Ahmed al-Jarallah, editor-in-chief of Kuwaiti-based al-Seyassah newspaper, on a forthcoming visit of a high-ranking Saudi official to Iraq, have ignited wide-ranging debate on social media websites.

Al-Jarallah posted a tweet in which he said that a top Saudi official would pay a visit to Iraq probably within a few days.
He also noted that Iraqi-Saudi relations are witnessing an unprecedented development, adding that this development will impact the Iranian influence.

In his tweet, Jarallah said that the Iraqi people welcomed the rapprochement between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which had bothered Iran and its agents.
Iraq is an important country for its Arab neighbors, he further stated, pointing out that former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, backed by Iranian agents and those loyal to Tehran's Shiite establishment, was behind the divergence in relations.

When Iran achieves its goals in their countries, it will throw them in a dustbin, Jarallah added, referring to loyalists of Tehran.

Those who betray their countries will consequently betray Iran, he concluded.

According to observers, the high-ranking Saudi official, who is likely to visit Baghdad, is the newly appointed Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

The Saudi crown prince is leading a promising rapprochement towards Iraq in collaboration with the UAE and Bahrain, they added.

Moreover, analysts told The Baghdad Post that Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr's visit to Riyadh and then to the UAE is a step in a path paved by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz to expel Mullah regime's agents from Iraq.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/st...audi-crown-prince-s-visit-to-Iraq#section_235

Iraq agrees to open Saudi consulate in Najaf
August 15 2017 01:08 PM

Iraq agrees to open Saudi consulate in Najaf

Iraqi ambassador to Saudi Arabia Rushdie Mahmoud Rashid Al-Ani, announced Tuesday that Iraqi government agreed to open Saudi consulate in Najaf city.

In a statement, he added that Iraqi-Saudi relations are developing rapidly and both sides are satisfied with the thaw.

During his tour in Arar border crossing, located at the Iraqi-Saudi borders, Al-Ani said the Iraqi pilgrims are happy at reopening the border.

On Monday, Iraqi embassy in Riyadh said it had received an official request from Saudi foreign ministry to open a consulate in Najaf.

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/15702/Iraq-agrees-to-open-Saudi-consulate-in-Najaf

https://twitter.com/x/status/897558587748298754

https://twitter.com/x/status/897408590704672769

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Jadidah Arar crossing receives last Iraqi pilgrims
ARAB NEWS | Published — Sunday 20 August 2017

Saudi passport control officers serve Iraqi pilgrims at the Jadidah Arar border crossing on the Saudi-Iraqi border on Friday. (SPA)

ARAR: The Jadidah Arar border crossing on the Saudi-Iraqi border on Friday received the last batch of Iraqi pilgrims.
The number of Iraqi pilgrims who entered the Kingdom via this crossing reached 13,699. They expressed thanks to the Saudi government for the warm hospitality and reception accorded to them.
The head of Hajj land grouping for Iraqi pilgrims, Mahmoud Hamid Aini, lauded cooperation, services and facilities provided by the Saudi side to Iraqi pilgrims at the crossing. He said the Jadidah Arar crossing is the sole land point at which Iraqi pilgrims can enter the Kingdom to perform their Hajj rituals.
He expressed thanks to King Salman, the crown prince and governor of the Northern Border Region for services made available to the Iraqi pilgrims at the crossing.
The services covered at Jadidah Arar include passports, customs and health services at the seasonal hospital.
The acting director of the hospital, Hamoud Ashwi Al-Inizi, said it has 50 beds, male and female sections, and 56 employees working around-the-clock.
For its part, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has provided a number of services to pilgrims, including gifts and meals. Similar services are also provided by the Northern Border University, the Islamic Guidance Office, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA), and emergency centers, which are working on a 24-hour basis.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1147576/saudi-arabia

Saudi-Iraqi border sees heavy flow of pilgrims headed for Hajj
ARAB NEWS | Published — Friday 18 August 2017

ARAR: The Arar crossing on the Saudi-Iraqi border is seeing a heavy flow of Iraqi pilgrims heading to the Kingdom to perform Hajj.
It has also been attracting diplomats. Saudi minister of state for Gulf affairs, Thamer Al-Sabhan, and Brett McGurk, US special envoy for the anti-Daesh coalition, on Wednesday inspected the crossing.
This came two days after a similar visit by Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad Abdul Aziz Al-Shemary, and his Iraqi counterpart Rashid Al-Any.
The vice president of the Anbar provincial council, Faleh Al-Issawi, said he had received Al-Sabhan and McGurk at the crossing.
Sabhan tweeted a picture of himself with McGurk and Al-Issawi during his visit, with the caption “from the Iraq of fraternity and brotherhood.”
Al-Issawi said the visit was intended to “inspect the crossing, its working mechanism and the mechanism of receiving Hajj pilgrims, in addition to its readiness for trade between Riyadh and Baghdad.”
The deputy governor of Anbar, Mustafa Al-Ersan, said the visit is “a positive step,” and the crossing will be open after the Hajj season for bilateral trade.
Saad Al-Hadithi, spokesman of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, said: “There is an agreement with Saudi Arabia on reopening the crossing for trade and visits between the two countries.”
The decision was made during Al-Abadi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Al-Hadithi said, adding that Riyadh and Baghdad are also preparing to reopen the Jamima crossing.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1146596/saudi-arabia

Iraqi envoy: Saudi Arabia to open two consulates in Basra and Najaf
ARAB NEWS | Published — Saturday 19 August 2017

Rushdi Al-Ani. (Courtesy: Twitter)

RIYADH: Iraqi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Rushdi Al-Ani announced on Friday that the Kingdom is seeking to establish two new consulates in Iraq and is preparing to open a new border crossing between the two countries.
Al-Ani said in an interview with Alyaum: “The Kingdom sent me an urgent request to open a general consulate in Najaf and there are also intentions to open a Saudi consulate in Basra. We welcome this initiative and consider it as a step in the right direction.”
The Saudi crossing border of Jamima in Iraq will soon be open, and work to open the border crossing is real progress, he said.
He added that the crossing will serve the south of Iraq, along with the Arar crossing which days ago saw a heavy flow of pilgrims headed for Hajj.
Al-Ani added that “Saudi-Iraqi relations are at their highest and most promising level since their re-establishment, indicating that the two countries are coordinating to fight the “terrorism cancer.”
Saudi Arabia and Iraq reopened the Arar crossing this week for the first time in 27 years.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1147101/saudi-arabia

Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council to boost bilateral trade, cooperation: Commerce minister

MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN & RASHID HASSAN | Published — Thursday 17 August 2017


Majid Al-Qassabi

RIYADH: Saudi Commerce and Investment Minister Majid Al-Qassabi said the Cabinet decision to establish the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council enhances the opportunities for trade exchange and joint cooperation to promote relations between the two countries.
“It reflects the Kingdom’s desire and keenness to open all areas of cooperation with Iraq to serve the common interests of the two brotherly countries,” said Al-Qassabi, who heads the council, which comprises a number of ministers and members from the relevant authorities.
“The Iraqi and Saudi people are from one social fabric, and they have a common cultural heritage,” the minister said. He maintained that there will be joint cooperation between the two sides in current international and regional affairs, also in safeguarding common interests and developing partnerships among the private sectors in the two countries.
Applauding the Cabinet’s decision to establish the council, Mohammed Al-Khunaizi, a senior member of the Shoura Council, described it as a significant step to enhance cooperation between the two countries at various levels. “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has opened new areas of cooperation, and this decision is in the direction of establishing good relations with the neighbors,” he underlined.
Majed Abdullah Al-Hedayan, a legal consultant, said the council will also be helpful in establishing international security and peace in the Middle East, adding that it will promote investment opportunities to establish vital infrastructure projects and increase the volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
“This will also help achieve the aspirations of the peoples of the region to create an investment climate conducive to creating jobs for citizens, as well as contribute to programs for sustainable development and investment of human resources for the desired social welfare,” said Al-Hedayan.
The council aims to enhance communication between the two countries at the strategic level, deepen mutual political trust and open up new horizons of cooperation in various fields including economic development, security, investment, tourism, culture and media, as well as enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides in current international and regional affairs.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1145976/saudi-arabia

Good news.

 

[TheCamelGuy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/900115664655892480

 

[Saif al-Arab]

https://twitter.com/x/status/918383726702333952

Great and very long awaited news!