FM Fuad Hussein Receives GCC Secretary-General; Reaffirms Iraq’s Commitment to Strengthening Relations with the Gulf States

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein, received the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), H.E. Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

At the outset of the meeting, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein welcomed the GCC Secretary-General, emphasizing the importance of the visit in enhancing the course of relations between Iraq and the GCC member states. H.E. expressed his hope that it would contribute to achieving greater rapprochement and cooperation in a manner that serves the common interests of the Iraqi and Gulf peoples.

H.E. the Minister noted that the new Government looks forward to building strong and balanced relations with the Gulf Arab states and to developing them across various fields in a way that promotes shared interests and avoids anything that could harm these historic and fraternal relations.

H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein praised the level of relations between Iraq and the GCC member states, stressing the importance of continuing to develop and strengthen them. He also reviewed the challenges and circumstances the region experienced during previous periods and the negative repercussions they had on the nature of relations with the brotherly Gulf states.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, H.E. Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, congratulated Iraq on the formation of the new Government, expressing the GCC member states’ optimism regarding the positive steps it could take to enhance bilateral relations. H.E. also affirmed the GCC’s aspiration to expand the horizons of cooperation with Iraq.

H.E. Mr. Albudaiwi explained that he was visiting Baghdad based on the directives of the GCC member states and had been tasked with conveying a message reaffirming their commitment to developing relations with Iraq and strengthening joint cooperation between the two sides. H.E. also expressed his appreciation for the measures taken by the Iraqi Government, including referring cases related to attacks against the Gulf states to the competent judicial authorities, in order to ensure that those involved are prosecuted and held accountable in accordance with the law.

At the conclusion of the visit, H.E. Mr. Fuad Hussein and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, H.E. Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, held a joint press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during which they discussed ways to enhance Iraq-Gulf relations and joint cooperation across various fields.