Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with US Special Envoy Tom Barrack in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss the future of Iraq-US ties after the departure of American soldiers, as well as regional security problems and the Iraqi dinar exchange rate.
The meeting comes less than two weeks after the US-led coalition officially terminated its military operation in Iraq on September 30, thereby ending the country’s security connection with Washington.
According to Iraq’s Foreign Ministry, the conversations centered on increasing bilateral cooperation as part of Baghdad and Washington’s new partnership, as well as the effect of continuing regional crises on Iraq’s security and stability.
The two officials also discussed Iraq’s financial and economic condition, especially changes in the Iraqi dinar exchange rate; however, the ministry did not offer specifics on any suggested steps or agreements.
The inclusion of the dinar in the negotiations emphasizes Iraq’s economic link with Washington, especially given the country’s dependence on the US dollar for international commerce and the significance of its banking relationships with the US.
The group also discussed larger regional trends and the need of sustained diplomatic cooperation as Iraq strives to improve its security and economic ties after the coalition exit.
Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey, greeted Hussein in a post on X, praising the connection between Iraq, the US, and Turkey as durable and emphasizing the significance of regional collaboration in solving common difficulties.
The American ambassador also emphasized Istanbul’s historical position as a diplomatic meeting place between East and West, emphasizing the need for holding the meetings at Tersane on the Golden Horn.
Both parties agreed to keep frequent contact and conversations on matters of mutual interest.
The summit underscores the transition in Iraq-US ties from a coalition-led military mission to wider bilateral collaboration, with economic stability, regional security, and diplomacy emerging as key areas of interaction.
