Iraq and France issued a joint statement today, Monday, at the end of the official visit by Prime Minister Ali Falah Al-Zaydi to Paris, invited by French President Emmanuel Macron, to confirm the strategic partnership and friendly relations between the two countries.
Al-Zaydi's office stated in a statement received by the news agency Video that both parties expressed their common vision to enhance security and stability in the Middle East based on respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and supporting diplomatic solutions to crises, with France praising Iraq's commitment to a balanced foreign policy and limiting weapons to the hands of the state.
The statement clarified that the two sides agreed to enhance military cooperation and develop Iraqi capabilities to protect borders and support national sovereignty after the conclusion of the international coalition's mission, in addition to adopting a strategic roadmap for the armed forces' procurements of air defense systems, artillery, aviation, and surveillance, with Baghdad affirming its commitment to continue investigations into the attack that targeted French forces and referring the suspects to justice.
The statement further noted that the two sides emphasized enhancing economic and investment partnership through holding an economic forum that includes French companies, signing memorandums of understanding for major energy projects with Total Energies, and developing cooperation in the fields of finance, real estate development, and civil aviation, along with strengthening cultural and academic partnerships, protecting cinematic and archaeological heritage, and supporting higher education.