Iraq, Saudi Arabia move to expand cooperation in gas, energy and electricity

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Oil Minister Ismail met Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Finance Minister Mohammed Abdullah Al-Jadaan in Riyadh to discuss expanding energy cooperation between the two countries, the Iraqi Oil Ministry said. Talks covered the future of collaboration in the gas, energy and electricity sectors, with both sides reviewing potential areas for joint work. The ministry said Ismail stressed that Iraq attaches great importance to strengthening relations with its regional neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, and to developing joint cooperation. Iraq's ambassador to Riyadh, Safia Al-Suhail, also attended the meetings. During the visit, Ismail held a series of meetings with senior officials, with discussions focused on elevating bilateral ties to the highest level and opening new areas of cooperation. The Iraqi delegation included Finance Minister Fares Fares Ismail, Deputy Oil Minister for Extraction Affairs Nasser Aziz, the head of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), the head of the ministry's Economics Department and other government officials.