PM Kadhimi discusses economy, counter-terrorism in London visit

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region —  Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi met with government officials in London on Thursday to promote closer economic and security ties with the UK as part of a wider European tour. 

Kadhimi met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and discussed issues of “common interest” including economic cooperation, political stability and security in Iraq. He also met with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, and the Prince of Wales at Clarence House in London. 

“It was agreed to further cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, as well as in the political and economic sphere, in light of the economic challenges that Iraq faces due to the decline in global oil prices and the repercussions of the Corona pandemic, and to move forward for strategic cooperation between Iraq and the United Kingdom,” read a tweet from the Iraqi PM’s office.

“The Iraqi government’s earnest endeavor to achieve economic reform and make Iraq an attractive environment for investment, through international cooperation with its partners in the world, confirms that the opportunity is available for British companies to invest in Iraq, and the government's keenness to provide appropriate environments for work,” the office also tweeted. 

The meetings coincided with the launch of the Iraq Economic Contact Group, announced by the British Embassy to Iraq on Thursday. 

Opened by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development’s Office Minister for Middle East and North Africa James Cleverly and Iraqi Finance Minister Ali al-Allawi, the group is an “international coalition to support the Government of Iraq to drive the implementation of crucial economic reforms,” according to an embassy statement.

“As friends of Iraq, we stand behind the Government’s reform vision, not only to ward off immediate crisis, but create lasting economic opportunities for Iraq’s people that meet their aspirations,” it added. 

The PM has already visited France and Germany this week. In Paris, French and Iraqi officials signed a series of memorandums on developing Iraq’s railway, agriculture and education sectors. Kadhimi also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and  business figures in Berlin, discussing further trade between Iraq and Germany.

The senior Iraqi delegation includes Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Defence Minister Jouma Anad.