GCC Secretary-General to visit Baghdad on Tuesday for talks on bilateral ties

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Al-Budawi will visit Baghdad on Tuesday, according to a statement from the body. The visit is set to focus on strengthening cooperation and coordination between Iraq and the GCC member states. During his stay in the Iraqi capital, Al-Budawi is expected to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues. The two sides plan to review existing agreements and memorandums of understanding in energy, trade and security. Officials have framed the trip as a step toward reviving dialogue channels between Iraq and the Gulf states. The meeting comes amid a recent uptick in diplomatic engagement between Baghdad and GCC member countries. Official statements on the outcomes of the discussions are expected to be released following the talks, the statement added.