Al-Zaidi arrives in Saudi Arabia... 3 files on the negotiating table

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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Wednesday, at the start of a Gulf tour, amid efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and contain security tensions in the region.

Al-Zaidi's visit comes after canceling a previous visit to Riyadh last July, against the backdrop of escalating security tensions.

While the Iraqi-Saudi discussions are expected to address security developments in the region, at a time when Baghdad seeks to confirm its refusal to use its territory as a launching pad for attacks on the Gulf states or other neighboring countries.

During his meeting with the head of the Saudi General Intelligence Service, Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, in Baghdad in August, Al-Zaidi stressed Iraq’s commitment not to allow its territory to be used as a platform for launching attacks on any country, while stressing the importance of strengthening security cooperation and coordination and exchanging intelligence information, according to a statement by the media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister.

In addition to security files, economic cooperation stands out as one of the paths proposed to strengthen relations between the two countries, especially in the areas of trade, transport, investment and regional connectivity.

In an article by the Iraqi Prime Minister published by Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper yesterday, Tuesday, Al-Zaidi called for moving Iraqi-Saudi relations towards a broader partnership and joint planning. He pointed out the importance of the development road project and trade and transport links with the Gulf countries in expanding Iraq's economic role.

He also linked enhancing investments to consolidating stability, developing institutions, combating corruption, and improving the legal environment for business, according to what was published by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office.

In addition, the oil issue is also strongly present in the Riyadh talks, as the security of oil exports is of particular importance to Iraq in light of the turmoil facing energy movement in the region, and the increasing risks to shipping routes and infrastructure. These challenges push producing countries to search for alternative paths to export and reduce dependence on sea lanes that are vulnerable to disruption, at a time when energy companies are moving to enhance transportation options and pipelines, according to a Reuters report.

Al-Zaidi’s Gulf tour is scheduled to include Kuwait, following the end of his visit to Riyadh, in a move that coincides with security and economic challenges facing the region.