UPDATE - Iraq summit for regional cooperation concludes in Baghdad

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE

By Ali Jawad, Haydar Karaalp and Gulsen Topcu

BAGHDAD (AA) – A regional summit aimed at promoting cooperation and partnership in the Mideast concluded in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday.

The summit, held in the heavily guarded Green Zone, ended with the agreement of participating countries to unify efforts to stabilize the region.

Participants at the conference agreed that they stand by the Iraqi people and government, and stressed concerted efforts to ensure regional stability.

Participants also supported early elections in Iraq on Oct. 10 and Iraq's requests for international observers.

"The conference is being held at a critical and historic juncture,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said in his opening speech at the summit.

The summit “embodies Iraq's vision for establishing better relations with the countries of the world, and our pledge to our people that Iraq will reclaim its leading role in the region,” he added.

He voiced hope that “the conference will achieve economic integration among all countries," stressing that "Iraq has taken steps to facilitate investments."

Later, Kadhimi separately met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

During his meeting with El-Sisi, Kadhimi said that he wants to strengthen joint cooperation and establish good relations between the countries, as well as with other neighboring countries, according to an Iraqi government statement.

Stressing that joint cooperation and sustainable development will strengthen security and stability in the region, El-Sisi said the Baghdad conference is an important step towards strengthening economic integration and stability.

During his meeting with Al-Sabah, Kadhimi discussed the issues of strengthening relations and cooperation, supporting bilateral positions that will reinforce the security and stability of the region. Al-Sabah praised Iraq's role in supporting regional and international stability and said that Kuwait wants to strengthen joint cooperation.

In his meeting with Abdollahian, Kadhimi stressed the importance of joint cooperation and work in meeting regional issues and public demands for development and stability. Abdollahian said that Iran wants to support Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability.

- Baghdad conference creates atmosphere of regional partnership

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told a press conference that Baghdad managed to bring together various parties who have differences and create an atmosphere of regional partnership.

Hussein added that the conference will ease pressures and tensions in the region, and there will be more such conferences later.

Baghdad seeks to strengthen its economic relations with neighboring countries and open its doors to investments and large infrastructure construction projects in areas damaged during the war against Daesh/ISIS.

The conference was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Jordanian King Abdullah II, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Also in attendance were Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf, UAE Vice-President and Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Other attendees include representatives from the permanent members of the UN Security Council, G20 countries, and the European Union.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar and Gozde Bayar in Ankara