<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed/" target="_blank">President Sheikh Mohamed</a> met <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iraq/2023/02/01/iraq-pm-al-sudani-moves-to-organise-foreign-troops-in-country/" target="_blank">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani</a> on Thursday to discuss ways to enhance relations and co-operation between the two countries. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Mr Al Sudani at Qasr Al Watan and reviewed ways the two countries could further work together in the areas of the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/economy" target="_blank">economy</a>, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/trade" target="_blank">trade</a> and <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/investment" target="_blank">investment</a>, and development sectors to advance progress and prosperity. They shared their views on regional and global issues and agreed to find peaceful solutions to disputes, and on the need to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and prosperity. Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Mr Al Sudani on Iraq's hosting of the Arabian Gulf Cup football tournament in Basra in January. He said the event showed the compassion and friendly sentiment between the Iraqi people and the rest of the region. Sheikh Mohamed said he was pleased with <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/iraq" target="_blank">Iraq’s</a> security and stability. He said the ties between the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/uae/" target="_blank">UAE</a> and Iraq were deep-rooted, and that Iraq is a special country for the Emirati people. He said the UAE supported whatever must be done to realise the interests of the Iraqi people and achieve Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and prosperity. Sheikh Mohamed also wished Mr Al Sudani success in leading development in Iraq. Mr Al Sudani thanked the UAE President for the warm welcome and hospitality he received, praising the UAE’s historic stance in supporting Iraq. “We are happy to be among our peoples and we shall strengthen the historic ties between our countries,” he said. Mr Al Sudani spoke of Iraq’s keenness to continue strengthening its co-operation with the UAE. “Today, Iraq welcomes its partners, most notably the UAE,” he said. He noted the mutual history and destiny of the two countries, and the many opportunities that could benefit them both. Mr Al Sudani acknowledged that his country has experienced many hardships, but it has managed to overcome them. He said that Iraq was part of the current solution in the region and thanks to support from countries such as the UAE, it would regain its leading role. Among those at the meeting were: Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, deputy chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for special affairs at the Ministry of the Presidential Court; Ali Hammad, secretary general of the Supreme National Security Council; Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President; and Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice. The Iraqi delegation comprised Dr Mohammad Tamim, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning; Ziyad Ali Fadel, Minister of Electricity; Razzaq Al Saadawi, Minister of Transport; Bankin Rikani, Minister of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works; and Mudaffar Al Jubouri, Iraqi ambassador to the UAE. The UAE is one of Iraq's most prominent trading partners, with the volume of trade exchange exceeding $16 billion, Mr Al Sudani said. “This visit underlines Iraq's sincere desire to continue and develop trade and economic co-operation and to attract investments in various sectors, including renewable energy, port management and logistics centres,” he said. The UAE and Iraq have been strengthening trade ties in recent years. In 2021, UAE clean energy company <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2021/10/07/masdar-and-iraq-agree-to-implement-first-phase-of-2gw-project/">Masdar signed a deal </a>with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and National Investment Commission to build five solar power stations across Iraq. Also that year, Abu Dhabi Ports Group <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2021/09/20/abu-dhabi-ports-signs-deal-with-iraqi-ports-company-to-explore-investment-opportunities/">signed a preliminary agreement</a> with the General Company for Ports of Iraq to explore potential investment opportunities and strengthen co-operation in the transport and maritime sectors. The UAE is funding the Revive the Spirit of Mosul project launched by the UN's culture agency to rebuild the city's historic landmarks. The $50 million project aims to reverse the destruction caused by ISIS at Al Nuri Mosque and its leaning minaret, as well as Al Saa’a monastery and the 800-year-old Al Tahera church.
