ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq and France enjoy strong bilateral ties across several sectors, but economic cooperation will be the focus of a high-level Iraqi delegation’s visit to Paris, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Monday, ahead of an official reception for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the Elysee Palace.
Hussein described the visit as “important,” citing France’s “major role in the region” and stressing that “Iraqi-French relations are strong and firm,” he told Rudaw’s Alla Shally in Paris.
Zaidi arrived in the French capital on Sunday accompanied by a large delegation of ministers and officials. He was received by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. The visit is part of the Iraqi premier’s European tour, which includes France and Germany, with the Paris leg primarily focused on expanding energy and economic ties.
“These are political and economic topics, but emphasis will be placed on economic matters,” Hussein said.
Asked about potential bilateral cooperation with Paris after September 30 – the deadline for the departure of the US-led coalition from Iraq – Hussein said “France’s support is always present,” without elaborating.
Zaidi met representatives of French energy giant TotalEnergies and financial advisory firm Rothschild & Co. on Monday.
Ahead of the meetings, Iraqi government spokesperson Haidar al-Aboudi told Rudaw that Baghdad’s vision is to “transform this relationship from security relations to long-term strategically economic relations that is built on bilateral cooperation and shared interests between Iraq and the European system.”
TotalEnergies in 2023 finalized a major investment deal for the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), aimed at developing Iraq’s energy sector. The French company holds a 45 percent stake in the project, while Iraq’s state-owned Basra Oil Company holds 30 percent and QatarEnergy 25 percent.
TotalEnergies is also developing a one-gigawatt solar power project in Iraq’s southern Basra province.
