Egyptian firms ready to support Iraq’s economic programme, Madbouly tells Al-Zaidi

Egyptian companies are ready to play an active role in Iraq’s economic development programme, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said during talks with his Iraqi counterpart Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi in New York on Thursday.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Madbouly is representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty and Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ihab Awad also attended.

Madbouly congratulated Al-Zaidi on taking office and expressed his hopes of strengthening the longstanding ties between Egypt and Iraq and expanding bilateral cooperation.

He said Egypt looked forward to hosting the Iraqi prime minister soon and coordinating preparations for the fourth session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee at prime-ministerial level.

Madbouly also said Egyptian companies are ready to contribute to Iraq’s ambitious economic programme, as consultations continue on expanding the presence of Egyptian businesses in the Iraqi market.

Al-Zaidi said Egypt and Iraq shared deep historical ties and that his government was prioritising efforts to broaden bilateral relations in the coming period.

He outlined efforts to strengthen stability and security and implement an ambitious economic reform programme, adding that Iraq was seeking to expand cooperation with Egypt across several sectors.

During the meeting, Al-Zaidi extended an invitation to President Sisi to visit Iraq at a suitable time, according to the statement.

The Iraqi prime minister stressed the importance of joint efforts to reduce regional escalation, prioritise dialogue, and support diplomatic and political efforts to ease tensions and resolve crises.

He said continued consultations and coordination between Egypt and Iraq on regional issues would help preserve regional security and stability and prevent further escalation.

The two countries also represented important pillars in efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, Al-Zaidi said.