Ali Al-Zaydi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, arrived in France to a warm welcome from French officials and met with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, at the Élysée Palace. This trip, recognized as his first European visit, includes discussions to strengthen economic and security relations between Iraq and European countries.
Economic and Cultural Agreements
Haider Abadi, the spokesperson for the Iraqi government, outlined the goals of this trip before it commenced, stating that a series of agreements in the fields of investment, energy, industry, trade, technology, education, culture, and infrastructure will be signed in Paris. These agreements reflect the two countries' determination to cooperate in various fields and strengthen bilateral relations.
After this meeting, Al-Zaydi will travel to Berlin to continue his discussions on expanding strategic partnerships. He emphasized that Iraq must regain its position in international relations and build relationships with other countries based on common interests. Al-Zaydi also noted that this trip could open new doors for cooperation, investment, and development with France.
Challenges and Opportunities in International Relations
This visit comes at a time when Iraq is seeking to expand its international relations, particularly in the field of security and the role of the international coalition against ISIS. In turn, France views Iraq as an important partner in political, security, and economic matters. The longstanding relationship between France and Iraq, dating back to before 2003, helps strengthen these collaborations.
Additionally, Al-Zaydi's visit to France follows the improvement of relations between Paris and Damascus and reflects Macron's interest in strengthening France's presence in the region. These changes could also impact the relations between Iraq and Syria, as both countries strive to heal the wounds of past disputes.
Iraq is also trying to build its relations with Western countries around France and Germany after the United States. This trip could create new opportunities for investment and development in various fields. Iraq's oil exports to France, which were a major customer of Iraqi oil during Saddam Hussein's time, could also help strengthen the economic relations between the two countries.
Finally, the French presidency has announced that Macron and Al-Zaydi will discuss the implications of regional instability on trade and energy supply. These discussions could help alleviate pressure on energy markets and support Iraq's economy.
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