HomeEconomyFrance and Iraq strengthen their "strategic" cooperation, particularly in energy matters

France and Iraq strengthen their “strategic” cooperation, particularly in energy matters

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Chia al-Soudani and Emmanuel Macron signed a strategic partnership treaty on Thursday night in Paris. The head of the Iraqi government also met the following day with representatives of the Thales, Dassault and Airbus groups.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Chia al-Soudani announced the strengthening of cooperation, particularly in the crucial energy sector, after a meeting on Thursday night in Paris that led to the signing of a “strategic association treaty”.

On Friday night, the head of the Iraqi government met, according to a press release from his services, with representatives of the French groups Thales and Dassault but also the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to discuss a possible acquisition by Baghdad of radars, Rafale or military fighter jets. helicopters

“Strengthen bilateral defense cooperation”

One month after his participation in a regional conference in support of Iraq, Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his commitment to this key Middle Eastern country, which he has visited twice since he came to power in 2017. In December, in Jordan, he advocated for Baghdad, the capital of Iran. strategic partner, to embark on a path different from that of a “model dictated from outside”. Mohamed Chia al-Soudani’s government enjoys the support of most pro-Iranian parties in the Iraqi Parliament, much to the chagrin of the United States.

During a dinner at the Elysee, the two men first “condemned the attacks that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, wherever they come from,” according to a commune statement released overnight from Thursday to Friday. The head of the Iraqi government “wanted to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation,” according to the statement, although no new commitment was announced in this regard. On the eve of his visit, Mohamed Chia al-Soudani had said that he hoped to obtain with France “the training and development of Iraqi security capabilities” as well as “the purchase of weapons.”

“Bring to fruition the great projects undertaken”

The two leaders “desired” together to “enhance Franco-Iraqi cooperation” in energy and transportation. Mohamed Chia al-Soudani, in power for three months, is looking for partners to give a boost to the Iraqi energy sector and in particular to the dilapidated electricity grid and collateral victim of corruption. Paris and Baghdad “reiterated their commitment to complete the major projects undertaken”, in particular “the renewal of the Iraqi electricity grid and the electrical interconnection with Jordan”, “as well as the project for the construction of an aerial metro in Baghdad”, thank you. to the “expertise” of French companies such as GE Grid France, Schneider Electric and Alstom, according to the joint statement.

For these projects to be successful, France has committed to “extend reimbursable export credit lines for an amount of one billion euros, to support French companies operating in Iraq,” the two countries indicate. On Friday night, Mohamed Chia al-Soudani also met with an Alstom delegation to discuss the construction of an aerial metro in Baghdad and the “delay” of the project. The two sides agreed to hold talks in Baghdad soon to agree on “final details” and “advance” on the file.

Author: TT with AFP
Source: BFM TV

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