Iraqi oil minister visits Riyadh to expand cooperation with Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — RIYADH — Iraqi Oil Minister Bassim al-Abadi said his country attaches importance to strengthening ties and joint cooperation with its regional environment, particularly Saudi Arabia, during a statement in the Saudi capital on Friday evening. Al-Abadi arrived in Saudi Arabia at the head of an official ministerial delegation, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Oil Ministry. The Iraqi delegation met with Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman and Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Abdullah al-Jadaan. Talks focused on bilateral relations and potential cooperation in natural gas, energy and electricity. Iraq's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Safiya al-Suhail, also attended the meeting. The Iraqi delegation included Finance Minister Falih al-Sari, Undersecretary for Production Affairs Nasser Aziz, the head of the Oil Marketing Company and the head of the Economics Department, along with other government and ministry officials. According to the ministry, the visit produced a mutual understanding on elevating bilateral relations and expanding joint cooperation at the highest level.