High-rank delegates from the Middle East, along with French president Emanuel Macron, got together in unprecedented Baghdad summit to discuss regional issues.
On Saturday, Iraq convened a summit in a bid to reduce regional tensions while emphasizing the country’s fresh brokering position. Iraq has been enclosed in a civil war in recent years that turned in to a full-scale battle against terrorism. The country’s fragile stability is subject to reinforcement through diplomatic efforts.
Egyptian President, Jordanian King, Qatari Emir, and French President were among the leaders of countries that attended the Baghdad summit.
On a lower rank, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey’s foreign ministers were among the delegates to the meeting. UAE and Kuwait also attended the summit by the heads of government.
The organizer of Baghdad summit, Iraq, says there is not high expectations about amazing achievement at the moment. Fuad Hussein, Iraqi foreign minister, says “the fact that we managed to bring rival countries together on the same table and initiate dialogue between them is not only important to them and us but to the whole region.”
The summit focused on regional tension ranging from the Yemen war to Lebanon economic depression and water crisis. The details of the summit and potential outcomes are yet to be published.
Macron, the co-organizer of the summit, called it a “historic” meeting and said stressed it as indicative of Iraq’s restoration of stability following the disastrous battle against ISIS. Macron also emphasized on France’s pledge to assist the stability in Iraq. “No matter what choices the Americans make, we will maintain our presence in Iraq to fight against terrorism,” he said.
Concerns about a potential resurgence of ISIS was one of the main agenda of Baghdad summit. Iran, France, and Turkey were of the main forces who battled against ISIS forces.
Baghdad Summit; A Good Opportunity
The presence of Iran and Saudi Arabia, long-time regional rivals, who started a negotiation initiative in recent months, attracted attentions. This is while no direct meeting between the foreign ministers has seemingly occurred.
Iraq conducted multiple rounds of direct negotiations between Tehran and Riyadh early in 2021. Diplomats of the two countries analyzed concerns such as Yemen war. After years of hostilities that regularly overflowed into neighboring nations, the negotiations hinted a potential exit from bilateral tensions.
With profound tensions, old-time animosity, and continuing occasional assaults on Saudi facilities by Houthi movement, the talks failed to secure an achievement.
Iraq’s foreign minister evaded a query about a meeting between Iranian and Saudi ministers at the margin of Baghdad summit. Instead, Hossein referred to previous rounds of talks in Baghdad. “These meetings in fact began in Iraq, and in Baghdad, and these meetings are continuing, and will continue,” he said.
The ISIS as an ongoing concern for regional and trans-regional actors comprised a part of discussions. Experts believe that the group has access to millions of dollars and is reinforcing expanding the structure of its forces.
Baghdad summit, according to experts, was an opportunity for Iraq to highlight its recent attempts to present Iraq as a fair regional mediator. Iraqi Prime Minister al-Kadhimi means to re-engage the country with the international community after years of war and devastation.
“This summit marks the return of Iraq as a pivotal player in the region. Having rival parties be seated at the same table is a significant step in that direction,” said an Iraqi expert.
Baghdad summit can be a valuable opportunity to build a regional apparatus in the Middle East. After years of war and bloodshed, it may be the Middle East Turn to have its NATO-type union.
