French President Emmanuel Macron is gearing up for a significant visit to Iraq, as confirmed by discussions held between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Patrick Durel, the Advisor to the French President on North Africa and the Middle East.
During their meeting on Wednesday, the two leaders delved into plans aimed at fortifying the longstanding ties between Iraq and France.
These efforts align closely with the comprehensive strategic agreement inked between the two nations, with a particular focus on enhancing collaboration in vital sectors such as investment, economics, energy, and environmental matters. This was disclosed in an official statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Notably, during this exchange, Patrick Durel extended his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Iraq following the tragic loss of over one hundred lives in a recent fire that engulfed a wedding celebration in northern Iraq.
This upcoming visit builds upon earlier diplomatic engagements between Al-Sudani and Macron, which included a phone conversation back in late August. Their talks revolved around the preparations for the forthcoming Baghdad Conference 2023, a pivotal event set to take place in the Iraqi capital.
Moreover, discussions also broached the subject of procuring radar systems from the reputable French company Thales. These state-of-the-art systems are poised to empower Iraq in bolstering its control over its airspace, ultimately safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
