Iraqi experts talk to the Reference about implications of Sudani's visit to France

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani visited France last week with many important files, perhaps the most prominent of which is development and accelerating the pace of the war on terrorism, according to experts on Iraqi affairs who spoke to the Reference.

The Iraqi prime minister's visit to France also included the conclusion of bilateral agreements regarding the security file in the face of the growing influence of ISIS in Iraq once again.

Iraq is looking for economic partners in order to develop investment operations, as the country needs to provide $223 billion to start real sustainable development, according to the latest report of the World Bank.

France is one of the European countries concerned with the development and stability of the situation in Iraq, which was evident in the Baghdad II Conference, which was held in Jordan in December 2022 under the auspices of Paris.

More investment

Iraqi political analyst Hadee Jalu Maree said that this visit is “important” to find more investment opportunities, especially in the field of energy, and to bring about understandings related to economic affairs and relations with the West in general and the United States in particular.

Maree added, in a special statement to the Reference, that the economic preoccupation represents a complication in the Iraqi case, and it is necessary to communicate with several countries and take advantage of all opportunities. France is also looking at Iraq from several angles, including political and economic, and as a place to secure interests and relations with the countries of the region. Therefore, both sides can mutually benefit from the visit.

Openness towards regional environment

For her part, Iraqi political researcher Doaa Hamid said that the Iraqi government has begun to open up towards the regional environment, whether Arab or otherwise, and among this openness was that pursued by former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

In a statement to the Reference, Hamid confirmed that relations are developing between Iraq and most of the countries influencing the political and economic map around the world, and from this openness is the trend towards distinguished relations with an influential European country such as France.

Hamid noted that the previous efforts culminated in a visit by the Iraqi prime minister to Paris, which witnessed the signing of important agreements between the two countries in several fields. She added that the question that arises now is: Is it possible for these agreements to be implemented and translated on the ground in light of the political and security instability that still raises the concerns of countries and companies that want to invest in Iraq?

She added that the Iraqi government should provide the appropriate atmosphere to give confidence to foreign investors to start implementing those agreements related to infrastructure and services that affect the reality of the daily life of Iraqi citizens.

Macron the “friend”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani tweeted, “My friend Macron and I signed the strategic partnership agreement, which lays out a map to expand the horizons of cooperation between our two countries in various fields.”

Sudani made it clear in another tweet that the two countries will work together with friends for serious partnerships that guarantee Iraq achieving economic reform and sustainable development as was planned in the government program.

Collaboration in all frameworks

Sudani, who took office in October 2022, seeks to work in all directions to search for development partners and contribute to rebuilding Iraq, especially in the energy and security sectors, as well as confronting rampant corruption.

A statement by the Iraqi prime minister’s office confirmed that the strategic partnership agreement between Iraq and France included multiple axes in the economic and security fields, combating terrorism and extremism, and cultural exchange, in addition to several other axes represented in managing security crises, combating organized crime, protecting the environment, promoting human rights, and education.