国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Iraq, U.S. launch strategic dialogue to discuss future of U.S. troops, bilateral_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Iraq, U.S. launch strategic dialogue to discuss future of U.S. troops, bilateral

BAGHDAD, June 12 -- Baghdad and Washington Thursday launched an initial session of strategic dialogue with the aim of discussing bilateral ties and deciding the future of the presence of the U.S. forces in Iraq.

A joint statement on website of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that senior officials from both sides held the talks in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement signed in 2008 between the two sides.

The session focused on the fate of the U.S.-led troops deployed in Iraq after 2017, in addition to issues of security and counterterrorism, economy and energy, political and cultural relations.

The United States pledged that it would continue reducing its forces in Iraq, according to the joint statement.

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Iraq, U.S. launch strategic dialogue to discuss future of U.S. troops, bilateral1

"The United States reiterated that it does not seek nor request permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq," the statement said, adding that the Iraqi government in turn committed to protect the international coalition forces and their bases in the country.

Ibrahim al-Ameri, a lecturer of politics in Baghdad University, told Xinhua that there is "nothing to hide" in the government's stance toward its relations with the United States as well as other countries.

"Despite the fact that successive governments in Iraq had asked Washington to help Iraq militarily in the war against IS group, the situation is different now as the Iraqi forces have the ability to face the challenges inside the country, including countering terrorism," al-Ameri said.