ERBIL — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Sunday met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to deepen trade and security relations between the two nations.

The trip is al-Sudani's first official visit to the north African nation as prime minister, with which Baghdad aims to cement ties as part of the country's broader plan to revitalize old alliances and forge new ones.

The Iraqi leader was accompanied by a high-level delegation to explore areas where the two countries wish to deepen cooperation. Iraq is looking to strengthen economic partnerships with major economies in the Middle East and beyond.

Baghdad “is ready to move forward with ripening joint work, and open up to new horizons of cooperation and integration in various fields,” Anadolu Agency reported today, citing a statement from Prime Minister al-Sudani's office. The two leaders had agreed to work together on a range of issues of mutual concern, and advance bilateral ties.