Maliki meets Biden, Clinton on eve of investment conf.
10/19/2009 11:05:00 PM
WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met in Washington on Monday with Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the eve of a US Iraqi investment conference.
"As Iraq emerges from conflict, the stability that is occurring will drive greater prosperity, which will help create a lasting peace and bring jobs that will lift families' incomes and give Iraqis a greater opportunity to chart their own futures," said Clinton in her remarks after meeting Maliki.
She noted that the United States want "to keep building and deepening the partnership" with Iraq "based on the goal of a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq and guided by the terms of the Strategic Framework Agreement.
" Clinton also mentioned she agreed with Maliki to establish a diplomatic joint coordinating committee under the Strategic Framework Agreement to discuss "all Chapter VII issues that need to be resolved." She also expressed pleasure at seeing the recent amendments to Iraq's national investment law and noted that she discussed with Maliki the upcoming national elections which are critical to Iraq's future.
"Obviously, we are supporting the efforts to ensure that the elections are credible and legitimate and that a new government is formed in a timely way to continue the peaceful stability and economic growth that is so important," added Clinton.
In return, Maliki said his talks with Clinton concentrated on the importance of activating the strategic framework agreement.
Maliki noted that Iraq is trying to inaugurate an extensive and comprehensive investment process, especially after the stability achieved in the country in addition to reconstruction and finding new ways to increase revenues to cover the cost of this reconstruction.
Meanwhile, the White House issued a statement on Bidens breakfast with Maliki at the White House while describing the US-Iraq Business and Investment Conference as "an important part of our efforts to promote cooperation under the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement." The Vice President also encouraged the Iraqi Council of Representatives to act expeditiously on an election law that will set the terms for transparent political participation in the upcoming Iraqi national elections, added the statement.
The US Department of State, in partnership with the Department of Commerce, the US Chamber of Commerce and the Iraqi Embassy will hold the US-Iraq Business and Investment Conference on October 20 and 21 in Washington.
Clinton hoped this conference would "pave the way for greater international investment in Iraq and closer economic ties between us," while Maliki mentioned that the governors and the representative of provincial council of Iraq will stay in the United States after the conference to coordinate and to strengthen the ties and relationships between Iraqi and American governors.
State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly told reporters in a press briefing that the conference is a stepping stone to greater private-sector involvement and investment in the Iraqi economy.
"We have had very intensive government-to-government relations, but we think that the next step is greater involvement of the private sector. So this conference is intended to encourage business-to-business connections and partner our respective business communities," he concluded.
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