Foreign Minister and His Palestinian Counterpart Agree to Hold Joint Iraqi-Palestinian Committee in Ramallah and Sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Political Consultations between the Two Countries
On 23 May 2021, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein received the Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Riyad Al-Maliki at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baghdad.
During the meeting, they discussed the situation in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories as well as the inhumane acts and attacks that the Palestinian people were subjected to in Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. They also discussed the fraternal relations and joint ties between Iraq and Palestine. Moreover; the need to work to develop and advance them in a way that serves the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples.
The Minister said that there is governmental, partisan and community support in Iraq for the Palestinian cause, pointing out that the Iraqi government emphasized the unity of the Palestinians and the importance of productive internal dialogue amongst the Palestinians themselves, highlighting the importance of strengthening Palestinian authority and warning that such victory might be used to weaken its unity stressing the importance of investing in victory to further support the Palestinian Authority, and confirming that the joint Iraqi-Palestinian committee will be held in the coming months in Ramallah. The continuation of joint political action was also emphasized, and in this regard a memorandum of understanding was signed for political consultations.
Mr. Hussein said that we need to invest in the victory and activate it politically. Emphasizing Iraq’s support for the Palestinian cause, and the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve their right to self-determination and to obtain their legitimate national rights, adherence to legitimate international resolutions, and the importance of the international political path; because it enjoys international acceptance and support. He also stressed the importance of providing the necessary support for the Palestinian efforts and endeavors to achieve the goals of the Palestinian people for freedom and independence.
For his part, Mr. Al-Maliki expressed his appreciation to the government and people of Iraq, and said that Palestine will remain loyal to Iraq, and that his visit to Iraq comes after the end of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, mentioning that the attack killed more than 240 innocent Palestinians, including 70 children, and the destruction of 18 towers with 2,000 housing units, and more 2,000 displaced citizens, and a complete destruction of schools, mosques, electricity, and communications.
He also said that they are looking for the embodiment of the Palestinian state, the two-state solution, and East Jerusalem as its capital and the right to self-determination, and their priority is to consolidate the efforts of the Arab Republic of Egypt in a ceasefire, and to work on rebuilding what was destroyed within 12 days, and they need support and attribution, and turn this reality into an opportunity to open a window for a public return to international negotiation and follow-up.
H.E. added that he came to Baghdad to coordinate the upcoming positions, pointing out that Al-Aqsa Mosque is being subject to abuse daily, and the next battle is to end the Israeli occupation.
He stressed that Palestine derives strength and resilience from the Iraqi people, indicating that Iraq is loyal and supportive of Palestine, and they are ready to receive their Iraqi guests to hold the Iraqi-Palestinian Joint Committee in Ramallah, and it will be a great honor for the Palestinian government. Commending the official and popular stance of Iraq, and Iraq’s adherence to the need for the Palestinian people to obtain all their legitimate rights and stop the attacks against the Palestinian people.