ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said on Sunday that Baghdad is seeking to expand investment and economic cooperation with France and Germany ahead of an official tour of the two European countries.
Zaidi is set to arrive in France on Sunday and later head to Germany at the head of a high-level government delegation, according to a statement from his office.
“Iraq must restore its standing and build its relations on the basis of mutual interests,” Zaidi said, adding, “We will open new avenues with Paris for cooperation, investment and development.”
The Iraqi premier’s visit to Paris is at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, with talks set to cover political, security and economic issues. The trip comes as Baghdad seeks to attract foreign investment and diversify its international economic partnerships.
“With Berlin, we will work to establish partnerships in knowledge, technology and industry based on mutual interests and development,” Zaidi said.
“Iraq today looks to the world with confidence and is working to build genuine partnerships that translate its potential into an effective economic and regional force within the international community,” he added.
Paris and Baghdad also maintain close security ties. France participates in both the US-led Global Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) and NATO’s mission in Iraq and has repeatedly expressed support for Iraqi sovereignty.
Germany, meanwhile, is a major development partner for Iraq. Berlin has provided billions of euros in development, stabilization and humanitarian assistance to the country since 2014. German energy company Siemens Energy has also played a major role in efforts to expand Iraq’s electricity generation and transmission infrastructure.
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