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Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki on bilateral ties and the situation in Iraq.
During the meeting, held in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Khalifa told Al Maliki about the UAE's decision to write off the Iraqi debt and interest worth $4 billion (Dh14.b)
"The UAE's decision to write off the Iraqi debt is an expression of brotherhood and solidarity between the two countries. It also aims to assist the Iraqi government in the implementation of reconstruction plans and the rehabilitation of state institutions and various facilities," the President said.
Cornerstone
He added the decision would help improve the Iraqi economy, back the restoration of security and stability in Iraq and ease the burden on Iraq's economy, institutions and people.
Shaikh Khalifa reaffirmed that the UAE would spare no effort to provide all forms of financial and moral support to Iraq.
Shaikh Khalifa noted that "the restoration of security in Iraq is the cornerstone in rehabilitation and resumption of its active regional and international roles" adding that there was a need to assist Iraq to achieve those goals, citing that the UAE had decided to re-open its embassy in Baghdad.
He referred to the relative improvement in security in Iraq, adding that such improvement would help the political process in the country.
He called on Iraqi people and political spectrums to back their legitimate government and eschew sectarian violence to help Iraq regain its stability and security.
Al Maliki expressed his gratitude for the UAE's initiative and said: "It reflects the fraternity between the peoples of UAE and Iraq. The UAE's decision to write off the debt will enhance the credit position of the Iraqi economy and spur the restoration of security and stability."
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