LOC09:20
06:20 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 17 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden will meet Iraqآ’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi at the White House on July 26, the White House has announced.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement, late on Friday, that Biden "looks forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Iraq on political, economic and security issues to include joint efforts to ensure the enduring defeat" of the so-called Islamic State (IS).
It added that the Iraqi Prime Ministerآ’s visit will highlight the "strategic partnership" between the two countries and advance bilateral cooperation under the Strategic Framework Agreement."
The visit will also focus "on key areas of shared interest including through education, health, cultural, energy, and climate initiatives."
On Thursday, Al-Kadhemi, currently on a visit to the US, discussed on with the White House coordinator for Middle East and North Africa affairs, Brett McGurk, preparations for a new round of strategic dialogue between Iraq and the US.
The two sides also discussed the withdrawal of US combat forces from Iraq and a transition of a new strategic cooperation that develops the relationship between the two countries and enhances Iraq's security and sovereignty.
In the previous round of strategic dialogue which was held last April, both countries agreed to form technical committees to arrange the withdrawal of US combat forces from Iraq and keep the trainers and consultants. (end)
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