Baghdad /NINA /– Iraqi newspapers published on Tuesday highlighted Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s directives to accelerate the opening and operational launch of Mosul International Airport, as well as Iraq’s efforts to strengthen trilateral integration with Jordan and Egypt through strategic projects and agreements.

Al-Zawraa newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, reported that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi had instructed officials to expedite the procedures required to open and operationalize Mosul International Airport.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office, al-Zaidi chaired a meeting dedicated to several major service and infrastructure projects, including the modern cities initiative and the new Baghdad airport project.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, the Executive Director of the Iraq Development Fund (Generations Fund), and several advisers.

During the meeting, al-Zaidi stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of these vital and strategic projects, free from bureaucratic obstacles and administrative delays. He underscored Iraq’s need for a major airport capable of meeting the growing demands of air transportation and strengthening the country's strategic geographical position as an economic hub.

The statement added that the meeting also addressed several items on the agenda, including the Fourth Ring Road project in Baghdad, the development and rehabilitation of Baghdad International Airport, legal measures to address encroachments on public property, and the proposed Iraqi Economic Capital project.

In a separate development, Prime Minister al-Zaidi received His Beatitude Mar Ignatius Youssef III, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church in Iraq and the world, accompanied by a delegation.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, the meeting discussed the situation of Christians in Iraq and the wider region, as well as ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of displaced persons and migrants to their home areas. The discussions also covered several issues concerning this longstanding and integral component of Iraqi society.

Al-Zaidi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating the necessary conditions for all displaced persons and migrants wishing to return to Iraq. He noted that returnees would be eligible to benefit from the Watan Initiative, which provides residential plots of land. He also directed the relevant authorities to facilitate the issuance of unified national identity cards to Iraqi citizens residing abroad.

For his part, the Patriarch commended the Prime Minister and the government for their efforts to address the challenges facing Iraqis abroad and provide the necessary conditions for the return of displaced families.

He concluded by praying for Iraq and its people to enjoy security, stability, peace, and harmony.


Meanwhile, Al-Sabah newspaper reported that, as part of the government’s efforts to consolidate its economic openness policy and build strong regional partnerships, Baghdad is moving to strengthen trilateral economic integration with Jordan and Egypt through strategic projects and agreements, alongside the preparation of a unified investment roadmap that includes reciprocal customs exemptions to boost trade exchange and expand prospects for economic cooperation among the three countries.

The newspaper noted that these moves are in line with the government’s broader economic openness strategy, which Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has repeatedly emphasized, calling for greater efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen the role and capabilities of the private sector.

Al-Sabah quoted Dr. Malik al-Duraie, Director General of the Private Sector Development Department at the Ministry of Trade, as saying that the ministry chairs the joint trilateral committee with Jordan and Egypt, which seeks to conclude economic and trade agreements among the three countries.

He pointed out that the committee is working on several key issues with a view to reaching agreements and signing memoranda of understanding during a meeting scheduled to take place in the Arab Republic of Egypt later this month.

Al-Duraie explained that one of the most prominent issues currently being prepared is the introduction of reciprocal customs exemptions to facilitate trade among the three countries. Another key initiative involves developing a joint investment roadmap aimed at enhancing the role of private-sector companies and facilitating their access to one another’s markets, thereby laying the foundations for a solid and integrated economic partnership.

He further noted that Egypt and Jordan have considerable experience in implementing commercial projects and a thorough understanding of local market requirements, particularly in relation to supply and demand. This, he said, would help strengthen the private sector’s role as a key partner across all economic activities during the current phase.

Al-Duraie also stressed that Iraq has increasingly become a country attracting international attention, with the potential to play a prominent role in the global economy, given its considerable resources, serious efforts to attract international and Arab companies, and commitment to the international standards governing the global economic system.

He added that more than 50 European companies have entered the Iraqi market, alongside hundreds of other foreign companies currently operating across the country.


Meanwhile, Al-Zaman newspaper highlighted the Communications and Media Commission’s implementation, in coordination with the National Security Service, of measures to shut down Korek Telecom’s main switching stations in 14 Iraqi governorates, excluding the three governorates of the Kurdistan Region, following the expiration of the deadline granted to the company’s subscribers.

According to a statement issued by the Commission, specialized teams, in coordination with the National Security Service, began implementing the shutdown procedures, closing four main switching stations: one in Babil Governorate, one in Basra, and two in the capital, Baghdad. The company’s main facility in Kirkuk Governorate was also shut down.

The statement added that these measures resulted in the suspension of Korek’s network coverage across 14 governorates, with the exception of the three Kurdistan Region governorates. Coordination with the relevant authorities is also ongoing to complete the network shutdown procedures in Nineveh Governorate.

The Commission explained that the measures were implemented following the expiration of the additional deadline granted to the company on October 6, at the request of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Communications. The extension, which ran until November 1, was intended to safeguard subscribers’ interests and provide them with sufficient time to secure their accounts and digital services linked to their mobile phone numbers.

The statement emphasized that shutting down the network does not mean subscribers are required to destroy their SIM cards or relinquish their existing phone numbers.

The Commission further affirmed its continued commitment to protecting users’ rights and interests while completing the legal and regulatory measures taken against the company, in a manner that safeguards the rights of the state and preserves subscribers’ interests./ End



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