Prime Minister Muhammad Al-Sudani affirmed that the budget law will contribute to resolving the bulk of the issue of financial transfers in accordance with the constitution.
“Our visit to France represents a quantum leap in the relationship between the two countries and took a strategic direction through the signing of the strategic partnership agreement, which includes up to 50 articles covering all security, economic, social, cultural and educational sectors,” Al-Sudani said during his television interview with France 24 channels.
He added, “Iraq does not need foreign combat forces, but rather cooperation with the international coalition led by the United States or with countries outside the international coalition in the field of combating terrorism and ensuring stability and security.”
He continued: “The presence of the international coalition in Iraq is at the request of the former Iraqi government, and it is subject to a professional dialogue in accordance with a political agreement determined by the official security authorities regarding the issue of the keeping of advisors , determining their numbers and locations, and cooperation in the field of training and information exchange.”
He pointed out that “we need a new pattern of relationship with the international coalition, based on cooperation, exchange of information and joint action, while ensuring Iraq’s sovereignty over its lands, waters and skies, and the National Security Council is conducting a review to determine the framework of the relationship according to the principles we mentioned.”
He said that, “since the first day we started our work, we were keen to play the role of rapprochement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab brothers in order to perpetuate rapprochement and understanding, leading to security and reducing tensions in the region.
He added, “We have obtained assurances from these countries, and we are continuing our efforts.” The two countries are keen to resume these meetings under the auspices of Iraq, and soon we will contribute to achieving a meeting in Baghdad.
He stressed that the attack on Iraqi lands is an unacceptable and condemned act, and we have official positions, some of which were raised at the level of communications to the Security Council and the United Nations.
He pointed out that dialogue is the best way to communicate with Turkey and Iran, and we have recently taken decisions at the level of the National Security Council, with the presence of federal forces to prevent the infiltration of armed groups that use Iraqi soil to attack Turkey and Iran.
Al-Sudani explained that the budget law will contribute to resolving the bulk of the issue of financial transfers in accordance with the constitution, and then we move to the most important step represented by the legislation of the oil and gas law, which regulates the relationship between the federal government, the regional government and the oil-producing governorates.
He pointed out that there is a rise in prices as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar, but in general our financial situation is the best since 2003, we have continuous revenues from oil, and stocks of foodstuffs.
We have important procedures and decisions that contribute to achieving structural economic reform in the financial and banking system, which has witnessed distorted trade over the past years through the currency sale window.
He pointed out that there are question marks that these standards are intended to be applied at this time or at this point in time by a 3-month-old government, while they were absent for years in previous governments. The sale of the dollar exceeded $300 million per day, in an illegal trade. Money comes out with titles of smuggling and money laundering.
He explained that a delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a group of specialists will visit Washington, bringing with it several files, one of these files will be dealt with with the US Federal Bank and the Treasury Department, to find out the repercussions of applying the standards set by the US Treasury in a way that guarantees the desired goal of all parties.
He confirmed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed in the field of combating corruption. France is cooperating in the field of recovering Iraq’s money before and after 2003, and efforts will be made by both parties to recover the money and wanted persons.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency