| In many ways, Washington’s relationship with the Middle East region was redefined 20 years ago, when US forces began their invasion of Iraq.
Now, like many countries in the region, Iraq wants to reassess that relationship. CNN’s Becky Anderson spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani about exactly this.  The Prime Minister joined Anderson’s show Connect the World from the UNGA in New York. On the US-Iraq relationship: “There is serious will to develop the relationship. And our relationship should not be limited to just the security side, despite its importance. But we need to address other files and aspects of the relationship because they are all important for Iraq. Iraq is rich in resources; especially economic resources and it is an influential country in the energy market.” On forging a strategic partnership with the US: “Iraq has other natural resources apart from natural gas, and these resources are not well employed, not to mention the human resources in Iraq. That requires us to cooperate with other advanced countries, especially the US which is a strategic partner to Iraq, who can help us in achieving such a change economically. And in turn, that will be reflected positively on the Iraqi people who have been waiting for this reform and for this economic leap.” On corruption in Iraq: “Corruption is a real challenge that the state of Iraq faces, and it’s something the government has been working on and is still working on and will continue to work on in order to express our real will to eliminate such a pandemic… Without fighting corruption, we wouldn’t be able to implement our economic vision and the development programs.” On the Iran-Iraq relationship: “Iran is a neighboring country, and we have many things in common with them either socially, culturally or religiously. Iran has always been a supporting side for the political process and the efforts of Iraq in fighting terrorism especially the war against ISIL.” “Taking care of the joint interests, and no interference from one country to another – this the basis of our relationship with Iran.” “It’s also important for us to have similar views on Iran with other Arab countries in a way that endears the security situation in the region, and that’s what we’ve been working on by bringing the views of Saudi Arabia and Iran closer. Our efforts in bringing Iran closer to other Arab countries are still ongoing, and that is the leading role of Iraq that’s required in the region through which will lead to stability in the region and in Iraq also.” |
