The Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Iraq to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco), visited Geneva on 16-18 June.
Building on his earlier visits, the purpose of the Chairperson’s meetings in Geneva was to identify steps and mobilise support in relaunching Iraq’s accession process which had been challenging due to the security situation in the country.
During his visit, the Chairperson met with: Iraq’s new Ambassador Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa in Geneva; WTO Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Deputy Director-General Zhang Xiangchen; the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, and Acting Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Ms. Isabelle Durant. Moreover, he held several bilateral meetings with WTO Members, and with representatives of the World Bank.
The Chairperson left Geneva with a very positive assessment of Iraq’s accession process. He felt that there was a renewed political engagement from the Iraqi government, as well as from the mission in Geneva.
He believes that as soon as the Secretariat receives the necessary negotiating inputs, the 3rd Working Party meeting could be held before the end of 2021.
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said the administration of President Joe Biden supports repealing the 2002 Iraq War Authorization Act, as it is no longer necessary to protect US interests.
“For the State Department, repealing the 2002 AUMF will not affect our diplomatic activities,” Sherman told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to Reuters (August 3, 2021).
“The ministry made it clear that we do not have ongoing military activities that rely solely on it and that its cancellation will have little impact on military operations,” she added.
743 Policy 08/03/2021 17:23 Baghdad today – Baghdad Today, Tuesday, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi announced that he will give ministers the choice between remaining in the government or running in the upcoming elections. And the media office of the Prime Minister stated in a statement received (Baghdad today): “The most important thing that the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, spoke during the cabinet session that was held today, Tuesday.” Al-Kazemi said, according to the statement, that “there are complaints about the exploitation of state resources in election campaigns by candidate ministers or by officials who have influence in the state,” stressing that “there is no overlap in the executive responsibility in this government, which we always confirm that it is a government.” services and actions, and we pledged to be impartial with everyone.” And he indicated that “an investigation has begun in two ministries, and other investigations will be opened in the event that it is proven that there is an exploitation of state resources in the elections,” explaining, “We will give the ministers a choice between staying in the government or running for elections, to prevent such duplication that causes embarrassment to the government in front of the people.” He pointed out that “on a personal level, I did not nominate myself in the elections, to send a message to the citizens that this government came to serve you and stands at the same distance from everyone,” explaining that “the state’s resources are allocated for the benefit of the people, and one of the reasons for failure and failure in Iraq is the exploitation of state resources for the benefit of the people.” Some parties and influencers at the expense of Iraq in general.” He continued: “Yesterday, we announced the implementation of the reform white paper, which is a paper for administrative reform and addressing the reasons for the decline of the Iraqi economy, so it is not reasonable for us to take a reform step on the one hand and take another step that impedes the reform process on the other hand.” He added that “there are complaints about candidates who deceive people for electoral purposes, that they are appointed in the tribal mobilization. These complaints and accusations are verified, and any promises in return for the elections are unrealizable promises and deceptive promises,” stressing “the directive to all ministries to support the Electoral Commission with all the support it needs.” . He pointed out that “the Ministry of Finance has great challenges and is complaining about the failure of some ministries to pay the due financial revenues, and we direct the laggard ministries to expedite the payment.” And he indicated that “our visit to Washington was successful by all standards, and its goal included developing bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States of America, organizing them in the security aspect and building strategic relations in the fields of economy, health, culture, environment and energy, and we need the relevant ministries to take steps to provide the appropriate conditions for Implement what has been agreed upon, which is in the service of the country and its people.”
Shafaq News/ The media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi announced on Tuesday that the government has taken 8 new decisions during its regular session, noting that the session witnessed a discussion of developments in the country, as well as discussing topics on the agenda.
The session witnessed, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, hosting the Chairman of the Independent High Electoral Commission, who presented the commission’s latest procedures in preparation for holding early elections on their scheduled date on October 10, 2021.
Al-Kazemi renewed his directives to all ministries to support the commission with everything it needs.
The session also witnessed a discussion of the reality of the national electrical system and the service provided to all citizens. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity in this regard was hosted, who in turn gave a comprehensive presentation on the status of the electricity system. The Council took the necessary decisions in this field. In order to ensure the smooth delivery of the electric energy produced, bypassing the beams, activating the related projects and accelerating their completion.
The Cabinet session witnessed a review of the epidemiological report on the Corona pandemic, and the developments in the work of the Committee to Strengthen Government Actions in the Fields of Health Awareness Prevention and Control; To limit the spread of the virus, and the efforts made by health institutions and medical staff in providing services to the infected, and limiting a larger outbreak of the disease, in addition to great efforts in vaccinating citizens, and achieving the required flow of vaccination outlets spread throughout Iraq.
After discussing the topics on the agenda, the Council of Ministers issued the following decisions:
First / Approval of the amendment of Cabinet Resolution (146 for the year 2021) to become as follows: – The Independent High Electoral Commission contracted by direct contracting with the Iraqi Media Network Press to print the final public and private voter register, candidates brochure, voter register poster, and complaints forms No. (110) and other non-sensitive publications from the requirements of the electoral process, with the exception of the instructions for implementing government contracts (2 of 2014), and the controls attached thereto.
Second/ – The Ministry of Oil employs a person from the families of the martyrs of the first or second degree for the fire incident at Imam Al-Hussein Hospital (peace be upon him), who holds an intermediate certificate or higher. Granting a financial aid to the families of the martyrs of Imam Hussein Hospital (peace be upon him), in Nasiriyah, with a minimum of ten million dinars, and a maximum of twenty-five million dinars, at a rate of five million dinars for each martyr, from the profitable companies in the Ministry of Oil.
Third / The Ministry of Finance allocates an amount of (3) billion dinars, from the emergency reserve, to the Football National Authority to cover the expenses of contracting with the Dutch coach (Dick Advocaat) and his assistant owners, and the establishment of training camps based on the provisions of Article (5) of the Federal General Budget Law for the fiscal year 2021.
Fourth / Approval of the following: – The Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works sends direct invitations to the Ministry’s companies with experience in implementing similar projects, according to what was stated in the aforementioned Ministry’s letter No. (m.kh/474), dated July 10, 2021 , according to timetables that the implementing companies are committed to. – The Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works shall dispose of the amount of the documentary credit, in the direction that serves the project and according to the implementation stages, provided that the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI) facilitates the procedures in that.
Fifth/ Forming a committee headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nizar Al-Khairallah, and with the membership of representatives from the ministries of Justice, Interior, Transportation, Immigration, and the Iraqi National Intelligence Service. A maximum of two working weeks.
Sixth / Approval of authorizing the Ministry of Interior to contract the authority to implement an integrated electronic traffic system in the (BOT) manner, with an exception to the instructions for implementing government contracts (2 of 2014) and the controls attached to them, and from the instructions for implementing the Federal General Budget Law, taking into account the provisions of Article (43) From the Traffic Law (8 of 2019).
Seventh/- Determining the share of Iraq’s contribution to the shares in the Asian Investment Bank to a maximum of (250) shares of the capital, of which (50) shares are paid and equal to 20%, and (200) shares equivalent to (80%) remain unpaid and when summons. – Authorizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign the application for the accession of the Republic of Iraq to the agreement of the Asian Investment Bank for Infrastructure. – Paying Iraq’s contribution to the capital of the Asian Bank within the allocations of the general federal budget to the Ministry of Finance for the year 2021, and by making transfers.
Eighth / Approval of the settlement by writing off the debt of the General Company for Maritime Transport owed by Alia Transport and Trading Company to be liquidated, amounting to (2060955.223) Jordanian dinars, only two million and sixty thousand nine hundred and fifty-five Jordanian dinars, and two hundred and twenty-three fils, according to the provisions of Article (46). From the amended Federal Financial Management Law (6 of 2019), in exchange for writing off the debt of Alia Company owed by the Iraqi Airways Company, the General Company for the Transport of Delegations and Passengers, and the Shadow Company for Transporting Persons and Passengers.
Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State Agencies BooksTuesday, August 03, 2021 05:03 PMnull
Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State, said that the administration of President Joe Biden supports the repeal of the War Authorization Act in Iraq, noting that the decision will have a minimal impact on military operations in Iraq, according to “Bloomberg East .”null
“A military presence is no longer necessary to protect the American people from terrorist threats, to respond to attacks on our personnel or facilities abroad, to ensure the safety and security of our people, or to maintain our strong relationships with Iraq and other regional partners,” Sherman added
Baghdad / Obelisk: The National Security Adviser held, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, a dialogue session within the series of periodic strategic sessions, at the Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies, and hosted the US Ambassador in Baghdad, Matthew Tueller.
During the dialogue session, the US ambassador briefed on the nature of the strategic relationship between Iraq and America, and the developments that took place under the administration of President Joe Biden, stressing the importance of developing the relationship with Iraq and paying attention to it, due to its strategic importance in the Middle East.
He added that the relationship with Iraq will not be affected by the change of administrations in the White House, pointing to the importance of continuing support for Iraq.
The session witnessed a series of questions being asked to the American ambassador by the attendees, regarding the size and type of support that Washington will provide to Iraq.
The US ambassador indicated the US role in allocating funds to support reconstruction and stability in the liberated areas, pointing out that the security support will be to enable all Iraqi security forces to perform their tasks in combating terrorism and security challenges.
For his part, the National Security Adviser, Qassem al-Araji, stressed the importance of benefiting and activating the strategic framework agreement, to develop the health, education and energy sector, explaining that what happened in the fourth round of dialogue with Washington was positive and in the interest of Iraq and its people.
Baghdad / Obelisk: The National Security Adviser held, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, a dialogue session within the series of periodic strategic sessions, at the Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies, and hosted the US Ambassador in Baghdad, Matthew Tueller.
During the dialogue session, the US ambassador briefed on the nature of the strategic relationship between Iraq and America, and the developments that took place under the administration of President Joe Biden, stressing the importance of developing the relationship with Iraq and paying attention to it, due to its strategic importance in the Middle East.
He added that the relationship with Iraq will not be affected by the change of administrations in the White House, pointing to the importance of continuing support for Iraq.
The session witnessed a series of questions being asked to the American ambassador by the attendees, regarding the size and type of support that Washington will provide to Iraq.
The US ambassador indicated the US role in allocating funds to support reconstruction and stability in the liberated areas, pointing out that the security support will be to enable all Iraqi security forces to perform their tasks in combating terrorism and security challenges.
For his part, the National Security Adviser, Qassem al-Araji, stressed the importance of benefiting and activating the strategic framework agreement, to develop the health, education and energy sector, explaining that what happened in the fourth round of dialogue with Washington was positive and in the interest of Iraq and its people.
Baghdad – Mawazine News , on Tuesday, the Central Bank of Iraq called on exchange companies to follow up on the names of persons and companies banned as a result of money laundering and terrorism crimes. The bank said in a statement that Mawazine News received a copy of it, that it “would like to emphasize the money laundering and terrorist financing controls of companies brokering the sale and purchase of foreign currencies, which stipulated the need for companies to follow up on the banned names received from the official authorities concerned with this.” The Central Bank called on exchange companies to “own an electronic system that includes the daily movements of their activities, with the need to link this system with the international and local deprivation lists, which are supervised by the Central Bank of Iraq.” Ended 29/A 4
Shafaq News/ According to the official holidays schedule approved by the Kurdistan Regional Government, the current month of August will witness a two-day suspension of work.
According to the schedule, next Tuesday, the tenth of August 2021, there will be an official holiday on the occasion of the month of Muharram and the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
The government will suspend official working hours in government departments and institutions on the 19th of this month, also on the occasion of the anniversary of the killing of Imam Hussein bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad bin Abdullah.
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