Iraqi prime minister to make first official foreign visit to Washington in mid-July

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani will make an official visit to Washington in mid-July, his first formal foreign trip since taking office, government spokesperson Haydar al-Abbadi announced. Abbadi said the visit aims to build a productive economic partnership, deepen strategic relations and strengthen trade and investment between Iraq and the United States. The spokesperson also reiterated the government's commitment to fighting corruption and safeguarding public assets, describing the fight against financial and administrative corruption as a moral and national duty. On arms control, Abbadi said Iraq's security structure is fully national, and that personnel are being deployed where they are most needed under modern armament principles overseen by the prime minister in his capacity as commander-in-chief. On federal relations, Abbadi said financial ties between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region will be organized within the constitutional framework, and that the resumption of work by contracted oil companies in the region is part of that approach. He added that the cabinet is expected to be completed in the first half of July, with the process involving acting ministries still being followed. In the electricity sector, Abbadi said the government plans to expand private-sector participation, reinforce the national transmission grid and increase generation capacity.