France and Iraq reaffirm their commitment to security and freedom of navigation in international waters in Paris
Paris, September 14 (KUNA) -- France and Iraq reaffirmed today their commitment to the security and freedom of navigation, considering them fundamental principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also affirmed their support for efforts aimed at enhancing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This was stated in a joint statement issued by the Elysee Palace on the occasion of the official visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Allaf to France on September 13 and 14, leading a high-level delegation at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The statement said that the two sides agreed to strengthen the strategic partnership and friendly relations between the two countries, and to consolidate cooperation in security, military, economic, energy, defense, education, and cultural fields. It added that the French President and the Iraqi Prime Minister expressed their shared vision to enhance security and stability in the Middle East region, based on mutual commitment to respecting national sovereignty, non-interference, good neighborliness, territorial integrity, and respect for international law, as well as supporting diplomatic solutions to the crises and security threats facing the region.
The statement added that the Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to France for its long-term support of Iraq, particularly in the joint fight against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group. Both sides stressed the importance of enhancing sustainability projects, regional connectivity, diversification of export routes, and supply chains, ensuring regional energy security and the stability of its transport networks. They also emphasized the necessity of improving Iraq’s connectivity with Europe and France.
In the military field, the French President and the Iraqi Prime Minister agreed, based on France’s positive role within the international coalition, to enhance and continue military cooperation, including supporting Iraq’s capabilities in border protection and asserting its sovereignty over its territory after the conclusion of the international coalition’s missions. This cooperation will be conducted within a bilateral framework respecting the sovereignty of both countries, to be agreed upon in the future.
According to the joint statement, the Iraqi Prime Minister announced his intention to support negotiations between French companies and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense in the fields of military air transport, artillery systems, anti-drone systems, air defense, and surveillance systems.
In the economic field, both sides reaffirmed their goal of continuing to develop economic relations, welcoming the holding of an economic forum in Paris with the participation of 50 representatives of French companies and several business leaders to discuss ways to enhance trade relations, particularly in the strategic sectors of both countries, including energy security, infrastructure, industry, defense, services, and healthcare.
In the fields of education, research, and innovation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to making these areas a central pillar of the French-Iraqi strategic partnership and building sustainable links between the younger generations of both countries. The two parties agreed to enhance the exchange of knowledge in strategic fields, including solutions to address climate change and resource scarcity, as well as artificial intelligence. They also agreed to strengthen university cooperation, support the development of new academic partnerships, expand academic and scientific exchanges, and facilitate student mobility.
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