Maliki and Obama announce the start of the stage of strategic cooperation

13/12/2011

Maliki and Obama announce the start of the stage of strategic cooperation

Confirmed not to remain any U.S. troops after 2011, and agreed to continue coordination in the fight against terrorism

BAGHDAD - Al Sabah

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and U.S. President Barack Obama is turning the page the military after the withdrawal and the start of a new phase of relations and cooperation between the two countries.

It was agreed that al-Maliki and Obama during a meeting between them in White House in Washington yesterday evening, on the continuation of cooperation in the war against terrorism and the activation of the strategic framework agreement of all its provisions.

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The Prime Minister arrived yesterday evening to Washington at the head of a delegation comprising a number of ministers and advisers in the government. The Prime Minister said after the meeting, which took more than an hour: "We discussed the development of U.S. companies in Iraq and the issue of trainers, experts and mechanics of movement and protection in Iraq, in addition to the one-armed, where Iraq needs more weapons, especially with regard to planes have been asked to buy a meal seconds planes f 16, and we hope that the request is approved.

Maliki said in a joint press conference with U.S. President that "Baghdad and Washington have agreed to cooperate in the fields of education, agricultural and industrial investment in the area and the fight against terrorism and the exchange of information, and Iraq needs a political cooperation in matters of joint."

And detection al-Maliki for a second meeting of the Higher Committee between the two countries in Washington to launch a strategic framework agreement, announcing the opening lines of direct communication between the consultants and security experts from both sides.

And on the crisis, the Syrian prime minister warned of a plunge Syria into a war of sectarian influence in Iraq, saying: "I can not ask the Syrian president to step down or interfere affairs of Syria, have agreed on a new initiative may be the initiative of the last minute without being reflected on the region," stressing that "there is acceptance by the opposition to search for solutions calm the region."

For his part, said the U.S. president: "The withdrawal of our troops from Iraq is a historic moment." He said Obama, who was speaking as he looks to Maliki: U.S. troops will leave Iraq the last few days and will not keep any troops or bases or the presence of U.S. military ..

You have achieved achievement, Iraq, a sovereign state and we view them as a partner strategic long-term. "He added by saying:" We have begun a new phase of relations and we will support Iraq's everything we could not stay alone, in reference to al-Maliki, the United States with you and we will support all efforts of the good.

"Said Obama: "We will cooperate in the areas of security, especially trained and equipped, and we will support the areas of agriculture, health and investment and we have substantial investments in Iraq, yes, that our soldiers have left, but our diplomats and embassy and we will continue to support, and equal partnership on according to the mutual respect between the two countries Siadean."

With regard to the number of staff American Embassy, ​​who described surnamed the Great, Obama said: "This number reflects the status of work assigned to it in Iraq." The president also stressed the U.S. that Iraq has become a model emulated in the region as a whole. and on the Syrian file, Obama acknowledged that Prime Minister Maliki made ​​the decision "the right "about his opposition to the blockade and sanctions, though he said:" The American vision is somewhat different, "stressing that he is confident that the decisions Maliki serve the interest of the Iraqi High because he is a neighboring country of Syria.

It is scheduled to participate Maliki, with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, in a ceremony special to put a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier tomb of "Arlington" National, Virginia, and will deliver a lecture in one of the institutes and the U.S. meet the Iraqi community there, in addition to attending an economic conference with the participation of major U.S. companies.

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