TNT:

Tishwash:  $3m allocated to Upgrade Iraqi Stock Exchange

As part of its financial reform efforts, Iraq's Cabinet has approved the allocation of 4 billion dinars [$3 million] to the Iraqi Securities Commission for the modernization and maintenance of electronic systems used for stock and bond trading.

The project, exempted from standard government contract procedures, will be executed in partnership with the U.S. company Nasdaq OMX.   link

************

Tishwash: Iraq informs the United States of the imminent start of negotiations with Kuwait

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Thursday that negotiations between Iraq and Kuwait will soon begin to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries.

This came during his meeting in Washington with the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Ms. Barbara Leaf, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, which was received by Shafaq News Agency.

During the meeting, Hussein stressed that the recent meetings between the Iraqi and Kuwaiti delegations in New York pave the way for the start of a new round of negotiations. 

He explained that dialogue is the best way to resolve pending issues, and that Iraq intends to begin these negotiations soon to reach final understandings.

Hussein also informed the United States of Iraq's efforts to address these outstanding issues, noting the Iraqi government's commitment to achieving tangible progress in these files in a way that contributes to enhancing regional stability.

For her part, Ms. Barbara Leaf expressed the United States' support for Iraq in its efforts to resolve regional crises, stressing the importance of dialogue in avoiding escalation and ensuring stability in the Middle East region.

According to the statement, the two sides agreed during the meeting on the need to continue diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions and work to enhance joint cooperation between Iraq and the United States in various fields.  link

************

Tishwash:  Baghdad and Washington discuss enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and economy

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein discussed with the US Under Secretary of State for Management, Ambassador John Bass, and the Energy Affairs Officer, Ambassador Jeffrey Bate, enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and economy.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Hussein met with John Bass and Jeffrey Bate on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the international coalition against ISIS held in Washington. During the meeting, they discussed enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and economy, and continuing diplomatic efforts to maintain the stability and security of Iraq. The two sides also discussed the need to protect sea lanes to ensure the export of Iraqi and Gulf oil by securing these lanes.

According to the statement, the focus was on continuing the dialogue between Baghdad, Erbil and the oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to ensure the resolution of disputes related to oil exports. The security situation in the region and the repercussions of the ongoing escalation and its impact on energy and oil sources were also discussed.

The two sides stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the United States and Iraq to ensure that the country does not get dragged into any regional escalation, and to work to confront the economic challenges resulting from regional unrest.

For his part, Ambassador Bass welcomed Iraq's participation in the tenth ministerial meeting of the international coalition against ISIS, and the strengthening of efforts to combat terrorism. link

************

Tishwash:  Baghdad and Washington discuss the need to protect sea lanes to ensure the export of Iraqi oil

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed with the US Under Secretary of State for Management, Ambassador John Bass, and the Energy Affairs Officer, Ambassador Jeffrey Bate, today, Thursday, the necessity of protecting sea lanes to ensure the export of Iraqi and Gulf oil.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by "Al-Eqtisad News" stated that "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein met with the US Under Secretary of State for Management, Ambassador John Bass, and the Energy Affairs Officer, Ambassador Jeffrey Bate, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the international coalition against ISIS held in Washington."

He explained that "during the meeting, they discussed enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of energy, oil and economy, and continuing diplomatic efforts to maintain Iraq's stability and security."

The two sides discussed the "necessity of protecting sea lanes to ensure the export of Iraqi and Gulf oil by securing these lanes."

The statement added, "The focus was on the continuation of dialogue between Baghdad, Erbil and the oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to ensure the resolution of disputes related to oil exports, in addition to discussing the security situation in the region and the repercussions of the ongoing escalation and its impact on energy and oil sources."

The two sides stressed "the importance of continued cooperation between the United States and Iraq to ensure that the country is not drawn into any regional escalation, and to work to confront the economic challenges resulting from regional unrest."

For his part, Ambassador Bass welcomed Iraq's participation in the tenth ministerial meeting of the international coalition against ISIS, and the strengthening of efforts to combat terrorism.  link

************

Mot: Those Practise Sessions Ain't Working out so good!!! 

Mot: .. Just aSaying !!!