Highlights from Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi’s Interview with Sky News Arabia …… 🔵 Our visit to Washington is not a routine protocol visit. It represents the announcement of a new phase of partnership between Iraq and the United States, built on shared interests and mutual respect. 🔵 In September, the International Coalition forces will conclude their combat mission against ISIS and withdraw from Iraq permanently. 🔵 In the next phase, we envision American presence through economic, investment, and development partnership. 🔵 We seek to transition from military partnership to sustainable economic partnership, and to build an effective economic bridge between Iraq and the United States that serves the interests of both peoples. 🔵 We have directed the Ministries of Oil, Electricity, and Communications to give priority to reputable American companies in the fields of energy, communications, technology, and development. 🔵 The Ministerial Council for the Economy has taken important decisions regarding major oil projects with international companies, including Chevron, Halliburton, and HKN Energy, in addition to granting them opportunities to work in new fields and exploration blocks. 🔵 The communications sector is moving toward strategic cooperation with Starlink, which will strengthen Iraq’s digital infrastructure. 🔵 We will discuss with the American side the Energy and Development Fund project, which begins at 500,000 barrels per day and scales up to two million barrels per day, depending on economic and production conditions, potentially outside OPEC quota constraints. 🔵 The Energy and Development Fund accounts will be opened at reputable American banking institutions, with resources directed toward agreements with American companies, including electricity and infrastructure projects. 🔵 Over three decades, the Fund’s financing could reach approximately $400 billion, with gradual growth tied to project performance and the companies implementing them. 🔵 Our goal is to rebuild the infrastructure damaged over the years by investing these resources in development projects. 🔵 We are working to secure a fair share for Iraq in oil production within OPEC, in line with its capabilities. 🔵 Iraq’s current situation is the result of accumulations spanning decades. Since 1980, the country entered a prolonged phase of attrition, with vast resources directed toward wars rather than construction and development. 🔵 The wars of the 1980s halted reconstruction projects and degraded infrastructure. Iraq suffered widespread destruction to its infrastructure and social fabric, and emerged from the war with heavy losses, high debt, and economic decline. 🔵 During the sanctions period in the 1990s, Iraqi society endured a deep humanitarian and economic crisis that affected all sectors. 🔵 After 2003, Iraq faced the challenge of terrorism, and many of Iraq’s skilled people left the country. 🔵 Iraqis confronted ISIS in defense of their homeland, while simultaneously fighting to protect the security of the region and the world, with support from the United States and friendly nations. 🔵 Iraq was the first line of defense against terrorism, and the war against ISIS left significant damage to infrastructure and massive economic losses. 🔵 The United States is a strategic partner in Iraq’s development and economic plans. 🔵 The Arab Gulf states represent a historical, cultural, and social depth for Iraq. They are an element of strength, and we believe in a policy of balance and openness with all. 🔵 A strong state requires decisive decisions, and decisiveness is an essential part of a statesman’s responsibility. 🔵 A leader who is not attached to holding office is better equipped to face challenges, and we remain committed to achieving our goals. 🔵 We have held in-depth dialogue with armed factions, affirming that the state is the unifying framework and that arms outside its institutions cannot be accepted.