The United States announced its full support for a project linking electricity networks between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iraq. The State Department said in a statement on Friday that it would facilitate the project and provide needed support.

“The Government of Iraq, Gulf Cooperation Council, and United States look forward to increased close economic and energy cooperation between the United States, Iraq and the GCC countries, as a basis for peace, development, and prosperity in the region,” the State Department said.

The department added that the US “is committed to facilitating” the project “and providing support where needed.”

Robert Bryce, US researcher in energy and electricity affairs, said that the Iraqi-Gulf power linkage has long been demanded by Washington to stop the flow of Iraqi money to Iran, which results from an electrical supply agreement between the two countries.

The statement comes ahead of an imminent visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to Saudi Arabia, which will also lead him to both Iran and the US, according to Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ali Abdul-Amir Allawi.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Minister of Transport Nasser Al-Shibli, announced his ministry’s endeavor to accelerate the reopening of the Arar border crossing with Saudi Arabia and increase trade and economic exchange between the two countries.

In remarks on Thursday, the minister emphasized “the importance of serious and continuous effort during the coming period and the adoption of a new work mechanism to accelerate the opening of the Arar border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.”

A virtual meeting was held on Thursday, attended by representatives the GCC and the governments of Iraq and the United States.

The meeting discussed the progress of the electrical interconnection project between the Gulf electricity network and the power system in southern Iraq, in addition to the future steps to be taken.