BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Tuesday that Iraq seeks to use the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup 2023 being held in Iraq's southern city of Basra to strengthen relations with the Gulf states.
Hussein made the remarks during a meeting with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos, Switzerland, during which the two ministers discussed bilateral relations and the situation in the region, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Hussein underlined the importance of "strengthening relations with Gulf states in general and Iraqi-Saudi relations in particular," stressing that Iraq seeks to invest in non-traditional diplomacy in the Gulf football championship as an opportunity for the meeting of the Gulf brothers in Iraq, the statement said.
For his part, the Saudi minister voiced the kingdom's support for the Iraqi government's efforts to achieve prosperity, stressing that Iraq's geographical location and resources make it an essential pillar in the region and enhance its role regionally, according to the statement.
The 25th Arabian Gulf Cup 2023 started on Jan. 6 and will continue until Jan. 19, when Iraq and Oman will play the final match. Iraq intends to use the event as an opportunity to show its return to regional activities. ■
