Spanish PM received by Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was welcomed in Baghdad through an official reception ceremony by his Iraqi counterpart Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in the Government Palace on Thursday. The two discussed bilateral ties and avenues for cooperation.

The two leaders "discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to develop them.,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.

Opportunities for partnership and cooperation between Madrid and Baghdad, especially in the fields of economy and investment, were highlighted during the meeting between Sudani and Sanchez. The premiers will also participate in a meeting for Iraqi and Spanish business-owners and companies.

“We had an important bilateral talk in the bilateral meeting and the meeting between the two delegations and we reaffirmed the importance of the ties between the two friendly countries and enhancing them,” said Sudani in a joint presser after the meeting.

The Iraqi premier also lauded Spain’s role within the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), but stressed that it is time to end the coalition's presence in the country.

"We are in the process of rearranging the relationship with the international coalition, as in light of the presence of capable Iraqi forces, the Iraqi government is moving towards ending the presence of the international coalition forces," said Sudani.

Sudani also addressed the recent American airstrikes which targeted Iraqi military bases in Babil, calling them a "violation" of the country's sovereignty.

"We reaffirm the government's clear official position and political position of rejecting these attacks, which we believe are hostile acts that harm Iraq's national interest and the security and stability of the country."

For his part, the Spanish premier stressed that Madrid will continue to support Iraq's sovereignty and security.

Iraq and Spain have shared diplomatic ties since 1946, and a Spanish embassy in Baghdad was established in 1955. The European country has been a member of the US-led global coalition since 2015, providing support to Iraqi armed forces, at the request of the Iraqi government.

In a meeting with Spanish Ambassador to Iraq Pedro Martinez last year, the Iraqi parliament’s Second Deputy Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah said that Baghdad seeks to boost bilateral relations and joint cooperation with Madrid in various cultural and economic fields.

A joint statement released by Sudani's office stated that both leaders "underlined the excellent state of the bilateral relationship between the Republic of Iraq and the Kingdom of Spain based on the historic relations between both countries and their peoples. They both agreed to continue to work together and continue expanding the relationship for the benefit of their two peoples."

"They decided to begin communications to convey, when appropriate, a new meeting of the Political Consultations framework, following the positive result of the meeting in 2020, to discuss matters of common interest and to deepen the bilateral relations," it added. 

"The economic and commercial relations of Iraq and Spain have a wide potential for development, including in the fields of defense and security, infrastructure, transportation, and water management," the statement read, noting that both prime ministers "agreed to pursue the diversification of the bilateral economic and trade relations."