Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazimi will be received by US President Donald Trump on August 20 in Washington, the White House said in a statement Friday.
“This visit comes at a critical time for both the United States and Iraq, as we continue to work together to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS (the Islamic State group) and address the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic ”, details the press release.
“As close partners”, the two countries will discuss their cooperation on security, economic, energy and health issues, the White House said.
The announcement of this visit underlines a notable improvement in relations between Washington and Baghdad, after months of tensions linked in particular to the death in January of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi lieutenant, killed in Baghdad in a raid ordered by the President Trump.
Added to this is the increase in rocket fire against American interests, blamed by Washington on pro-Iran forces.
The coming to power of the former intelligence chief Moustafa al-Kazimi, who is seen as close to the Americans and his Arab allies, has changed the situation. Iraqi government officials said the visit to Washington would take place very soon.
Baghdad and Washington began in June a “strategic dialogue” supposed to decide the future of the thousands of American soldiers present in Iraq as part of the anti-jihadist coalition led by Washington. These soldiers are subject to an expulsion decision from the Iraqi Parliament.