Day: March 23, 2021
Qatari Foreign Minister visits Iraq on Wednesday
Baghdad
Baraa Al-Shammari
March 23, 2021
The Iraqi Foreign Minister recently visited Doha (Facebook)
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The Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani , will visit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, tomorrow, Wednesday, more than a week after the visit of Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein to Doha.
In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Qatari foreign minister, who arrives in Iraq on Wednesday, will hold a press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein at Baghdad airport at the end of the visit.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister had made, in the middle of this month, a visit to Qatar, during which a number of common issues of concern to both sides were discussed.
Earlier, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Hussein discussed with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and other Qatari officials, relations between the two countries, and how to create investment opportunities in the next phase, as well as discussing the security situation, and stressing the need to start work. Towards creating collective initiatives to preserve the security of the countries of the region, and creating the correct and possible frameworks for dialogue to reach the desired goals.
During his visit to Doha, the Iraqi Foreign Minister extended an invitation to Qatari companies to work in Iraq on various levels.
Iraq approves deal to award Schlumberger $480 million deal to drill oil wells: Cabinet statement
By Reuters Staff
CAIRO – (Reuters) – The Iraqi cabinet on Tuesday approved a deal to award U.S. company Schlumberger Ltd a $480 million deal to drill 96 oil wells in the south, according to a statement.
Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer, relies on oil exports for nearly all its state revenue.
Reporting by Alaa Swilam; Editing by Leslie Adler
Muqtada al-Sadr shows his willingness to cooperate with the government against ‘fugitive weapons’
2021.03.23 – 23:47
Baghdad – People
The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, on Tuesday, expressed his willingness to cooperate with the government against ‘fugitive weapons’.
The “people” channel on Telegram … our last updates, always
“The Iraqi government must work diligently and firmly against all armed actions that target the security of Iraq and the citizens, regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators,” Al-Sadr said in a blog post seen by “People.”
He added, “I am aware that they are paid to destabilize security and stability, and seek to weaken the prestige of the state and discredit the honorable resistance, so that those who have foreign agendas benefit from this.”
He pointed out that “this security chaos and the lack of arms must not last … So let the government hasten to do its work to the fullest, and we are ready for cooperation.”
US State Department: We are working with ‘partners’ to enhance water security
2021.03.23 – 18:40
Baghdad – People
On Tuesday, the State Department renewed its commitment to help “build a water-smooth world,” and to work with “partners” to enhance “water security.”
The “people” channel on Telegram … our last updates, always
The US Embassy in Baghdad quoted US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken as saying (March 23, 2021) that “water is an invaluable resource on which we depend for nearly everything we do,” adding that “Safe access to water supports health, economic opportunities and security. In every country, ensuring global access to safe water sufficient to meet basic needs is now more important than ever.
He continued, “Climate change is already affecting water resources in the world and threatening water supplies for the purposes of health care, agriculture, industry, energy, fishing and ecosystems,” noting that “this matter would endanger food security, energy security, economy, national security, biological diversity, human and animal health.” “.
“The United States is committed to helping build a world blessed with water, and we are working with partners around the world to enhance water security by improving water management and restoring and protecting healthy ecosystems to increase resilience in the face of climate change,” the minister emphasized.
He pointed out that “expanding access to safe drinking water, as well as sanitation, creates more opportunities for women and girls to find jobs and go to school, and helps communities and health care facilities to remain safe from the threats of infectious diseases.”
Blinken said, “On this World Water Day, we highlight the importance of protecting this essential resource, and we appreciate and celebrate those who work to make safe drinking water accessible to all.”
Washington reveals the date for the resumption of the strategic dialogue with Iraq
Politics
Iraq
USA
breaking
Strategic dialogue
2021-03-23 15:58
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Shafaq News / The American White House revealed, on Tuesday, the date for the resumption of the strategic dialogue between Washington and Baghdad.
The White House said the United States and Iraq would hold a strategic dialogue in April.
He added that the dialogue with Iraq will focus on the role of the international coalition to prevent the return of ISIS.
Iraq hopes that the strategic dialogue will pave the way for the complete withdrawal of the remaining approximately 2,500 American soldiers from the country.
Al-Kazemi’s government takes new decisions. This is its text
Politics
breaking
Decisions
Iraqi Council of Ministers
2021-03-23 15:51
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Shafaq News / Today, Tuesday, the Council of Ministers held a regular session headed by Mustafa Al-Kazemi, during which it took new decisions.
A statement issued by Al-Kazemi’s office received by Shafaq News stated that the council discussed the topics on its agenda and took the following decisions:
1- Giving the Minister of Health the authority to negotiate with the Lebanese side, and to discuss the services needed by the Ministry of Health to raise the health level, especially in the field of hospital management, medical services, basic services and medical goods, including cooperation in modern hospitals.
2- Approving the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Energy (33 for the year 2021), according to the following:
Approval for Bid Contract Assignment (WQ0691), for 96 turnkey drilling, Basra Oil Company / ExxonMobil. In the custody of the American company (Schlumberger), with a total amount of (480566597 dollars), only four hundred and eighty million dollars, five hundred and sixty-six thousand five hundred and ninety-seven dollars. Which is less (14.4%) than the estimated cost of (5616000000 dollars), only five hundred and sixty one million and six hundred thousand dollars, which is within the permitted percentage in the instructions.
The Ministry of Oil bears the technical and financial aspects and the proportionality of the contract amount with the tender as far as the financial viability is concerned.
3- Approval of the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Authority related to the employees of the Tourism Authority working with the Taj Al Wisam Company / investing in the Baghdad Tourism Island and approval to sign an appendix to a contract between the Tourism Authority and the company in question, according to the aforementioned body’s book No. 170 (Dated February 2, 2021).
4- Adoption of the national plan for human rights in Iraq. Accompanying the Ministry of Justice letter No. (1165) dated (August 27, 2020), bearing in mind the opinion of the legal department in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers confirmed according to its memorandum of number (Ramd / Q / 2/4 / None), signed in ( February 25, 2021) as follows:
First – rearranging the timetable prepared for its implementation, and adding the Human Rights Commission to the committee.
Second – Updating the plan in a manner that refers to the recently approved draft laws.
Third – Forming a ministerial committee entrusted with the task of coordinating the implementation of the measures included in the plan, tracking and evaluating the progress of the national action plan, and including, in addition to the concerned governmental sectors, representatives of national institutions and bodies and non-governmental organizations interested in human rights issues to support the plan.
Fourth – the commitment to submit an annual general report on the progress of the work to activate the plan, and its commitment to submit sectoral reports to the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee every six months.
Fifth – Defining accurate indicators for tracking, evaluating and implementing the measures, recommendations and activities specified in the text of the plan, and in the time allotted to them.
Sixth: Examining alternative solutions to fill the deficiency by canceling the two ministries of (human and women’s rights).
5- Approving the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy according to what was stated in the Iraqi Trade Bank’s letter No. (1827) dated May 21, 2020, regarding the sale of old ATMs and replacing them with new ATMs, as an exception to the procedures stipulated in the provisions of Article (40) of the Law of Sale and Leasing of Funds State No. (21) of 2013 amended.
6- The Ministry of Finance undertakes financing the Ministry of Electricity in the amount of (57 billion dinars), to pay the salaries of contracts and workers working days, from the actual total expenditures of the Ministry of Electricity or ministries and agencies not associated with a ministry and all governorates. No more than (1/12) of the actual expense of the aforementioned entities’ operating expenses (at the state level), without being restricted to the purposes assigned to them in the previous fiscal year.
The US ambassador talks about Biden’s strategy in Iraq: The economy is a priority
2021/03/23
Baghdad / Al-Mawred News
The US ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, spoke today, Tuesday, about US President Joe Biden’s strategy in Iraq, while noting that the economy is a priority.
Tueller said, in a statement, that “President Biden, like his predecessors, are committed to building Iraq so that ISIS does not return again.”
He added, “We have to raise the importance of our ambitions in dealing with climate change, which is a real problem in Iraq.”
And he continued, “The economic crisis resulting from Covid 19 will return to pose a threat to the national security interests of the United States in the event that the pandemic is not controlled worldwide.”
He indicated his support for “Iraq’s efforts in the urgent need to diversify its economy, which is currently dependent on oil.”
He expressed his hope that “Iraq’s plans to diversify the economy will turn from paper to reality, and we appreciate the leadership of Finance Minister Ali Allawi in these issues,” adding that “diversifying the economy is essential in creating a viable private sector and providing jobs.”
He pointed out that “part of the diversification of the Iraqi economy includes diversifying Iraq’s energy sources by reducing Iraq’s losses from gas associated with oil, developing clean energy and connecting with electric lines to neighboring countries, which will reduce pollution and Iraq’s dependence on its neighbor in the East.”
He continued, “We encourage the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to cooperate on energy issues.”
The US ambassador added, “We will continue to be the steadfast partner that Iraq relies on in combating corruption, economic reform, improving relations with neighboring countries, providing advice to Iraqi forces in combating terrorism and supporting efforts to control militias.”
“We intend to participate in talks on the Iranian nuclear program and address other issues such as Iran’s financial support for militias, its destabilizing behavior in the region, its ballistic missile program and its human rights record,” he said.
He pointed out that “President Biden intends to dialogue with Iran for the benefit of the United States, Iran and Iraq without sacrificing Iraqi sovereignty or security to achieve this.”
He pointed out that “the importance of human rights in our foreign policy will increase, and we will defend the right of activists and political opponents to speak freely without fear of retaliation.”
He believed that “militia attacks are a threat to Iraqis, Americans and the coalition forces against ISIS and diplomacy in the region.”
He concluded by noting that “the upcoming Iraqi elections are a turning point in Iraqi democracy,” adding that “allowing international observers will increase confidence in the Iraqi elections and prevent the recurrence of limited participation in the 2018 elections, which caused the parties affected by Iran to reach parliament.”
Foreign Ministry: We are waiting for a bus schedule during the coming period
2021/03/23
Baghdad / Al-Mawred News
Today, Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Iraq will witness a bus schedule of visits during the coming period, while indicating that Iraq has confirmed that it is a point of attraction, convergence and coordination of positions.
In a statement to the official agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahaf said, “Initiative diplomacy is a method we devoted to it, and it is not an option but a path that promotes Iraq’s interests,” noting that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working very hard to promote collective initiatives to devote to the security and stability of the region.”
He added, “The balance in our foreign policy allows us to build strategic interests, and the tripartite summit will bear witness to that,” noting that “the diversification of the economic gates of Iraq by mobilizing the efforts of our embassies and missions abroad and following up on the specialized departments in the ministry’s center yields high-level coordination results.”
And he stated that “despite the Corona pandemic that struck the world, Iraq confirmed that it is a point of attraction, convergence and coordination of positions,” stressing that “the foreign ministers of many countries have visited Iraq and we are waiting for a busy schedule of visits during this period.”
He pointed out that “the opening of some European embassies in Baghdad after a lapse of years witnessed the stability of Iraq and the government’s commitment to providing security for the missions,” noting that “we have overcome the security challenge of diplomatic missions, and we affirm the principle of integration to meet the challenges with all of Iraq’s partners and friends.”
He stressed that “the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been and are still very exceptional in providing support to confront the Corona pandemic, and we have received support initiatives in this regard,” noting that “the multiple strategic partnerships put Iraq’s interests in accordance with constitutional measures and in a way that achieves the interests of the state and society together.”
He continued, “The security and stability of the region is reflected in Iraq, and our presence in the scene has become in the process of building on the sources of a pure national force.”
The Kurdistan Democratic bloc in the Iraqi parliament is likely to pass the budget in the session next Saturday
Politics
Kurdistan Region delegation
2021 budget
Share of Kurdistan Region
2021-03-23 12:17
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Shafaq News / Today, Tuesday, the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc in the Iraqi parliament suggested that the Federal Budget Law will be passed in a session next Saturday, indicating that positive results have been reached in the ongoing negotiations in Baghdad.
Vian Sabri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Bloc in the Iraqi Parliament, told Shafaq News: “We are still continuing in discussions with the political blocs on reaching an agreement on the federal budget and the atmosphere so far is positive, and we expect that the law will be approved next Saturday.”
Despite the Nowruz holiday, Vian Sabri confirmed that during these days they continued to meet in Baghdad with the Iraqi political parties to resolve the issue of the region’s share in the Iraqi public budget.
As for the decision of the Iraqi Electoral Commission not to hold elections abroad; Sabri showed; “The constitution gives the right to participate in the elections, and the law says that it must be through the biometric system, but the commission says it cannot conduct it for technical reasons, and this is why the commission’s decision must be respected.”
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