Somalia and Iraq Discuss Strengthening Economic and Agricultural Cooperation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalaan Abdullahi Ali, held a meeting in Baghdad with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, focusing on strengthening the relationship between the two countries and expanding cooperation in various areas.

The meeting took place in Baghdad during the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where both ministers discussed accelerating the activities of the Joint Committee of Somalia and Iraq, to enhance the cooperation between the two governments.

Additionally, both sides addressed how to expand cooperation in the economic and agricultural sectors, which are seen as areas that could create opportunities for the development of trade relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Somali government expressed its desire to begin exporting live animals for sale to Iraq, a step that could be part of efforts to expand the international markets for Somali livestock, although no details were provided on the timing of the exports or the technical agreements related to this matter.

On the other hand, the Somali government thanked the Iraqi government for the warm welcome and hosting the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Somalia once again confirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two countries, aiming for the cooperation between Somalia and Iraq to go beyond political relations and move towards economic, trade, and productive collaboration.