President of Iraq Barham Salih congratulates President Joe Biden on his inauguration as President of the United States of America

Today, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, the President of the Republic, Dr. Barham Salih, congratulated US President Joe Biden on the occasion of his taking the constitutional oath and assuming his official duties.
President Salih expressed his aspiration to build upon the relationship between the two countries, saying that together Iraq and the USA faced many challenges and had a common interest in confronting these, - "especially those presented by terrorism and extremism," the President noted. 
With mutual respect and the shared ideals of freedom and democracy, Iraq and the USA could work together to build a more prosperous Iraq and reduce tensions in the Middle East, President Salih said.  

Following is the full text of the congratulatory statement: 

"Dear President Biden,

      I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to you on your inauguration as President of the United States of America.  I wish you, and Vice President Harris, all success in your coming endeavors as you work to fulfill the hopes and ambitions of the American people.  

      We look forward to building on the deep ties that bind our two nations, and to extending further the strategic cooperation that we already enjoy.  Together we face many challenges, especially those presented by terrorism and extremism, and it is in our common interest to confront them.  We also welcome the opportunity to work closely with the United States to ease regional tensions and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.  

      It is our sincere hope that, in the months and years ahead, relations between our two nations will become even stronger, and that we can chart a common path towards a more prosperous Iraq and Middle East based on mutual respect and our joint ideals of freedom and democracy. 

Barham Salih
President of the Republic of Iraq"
20 January 2021

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