Iraq and France Expand Strategic Defense and Economic Ties
At a Glance
- Iraq and France reaffirm their strategic partnership and regional cooperation.
- The two sides agree to expand military and defense cooperation.
- Baghdad and French companies advance energy and economic cooperation.
- Cooperation also expands across aviation, education, culture, and healthcare.
Iraq and France have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership following Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s official visit to France on September 13 and 14.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- State sovereignty: France praises Iraq’s efforts to limit weapons to the state and strengthen the rule of law.
- Defense cooperation: The two sides agree to expand military cooperation and support Iraq’s border protection capabilities.
- Energy security: Iraq and France stress the importance of diversifying export routes, strengthening regional connections, and improving energy security.
Iraq welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and French company HARMATTAN AI on autonomous air defense systems.
Baghdad also plans to support discussions between French companies and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense on aeromobility, artillery systems, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, air defense, and surveillance systems.
Prime Minister al-Zaidi reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to continuing investigations into the March 11 attack on French forces in Iraq.
The attack killed French Major Arnaud Frion and injured five other French soldiers. The Iraqi government pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
Iraq and TotalEnergies agreed to hold discussions on several energy projects involving large-scale investments.
The projects aim to increase Iraq’s oil production, improve energy efficiency, and support the country’s energy transition.
The two governments also signed a Letter of Intent concerning financing by the French Development Agency.
An economic forum in Paris brought together representatives of 50 French companies and business leaders to explore cooperation in energy security, infrastructure, industry, defense, services, and healthcare.
France and Iraq signed a Declaration of Intent between the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation and Iraq’s General Company for Air Navigation Services.
The agreement aims to strengthen technical and institutional cooperation, aviation safety and air navigation services, supporting trade, tourism and people to people ties.
The two sides also reaffirmed cooperation through French archaeological missions in Iraq and welcomed the opening of the Mosul Museum with support from the Louvre.
France will support Iraq in developing a national film policy through cooperation and expertise exchanges with France’s National Centre for Cinema and Moving Image.
Iraq and France agreed to expand university cooperation, academic partnerships, scientific exchanges and student mobility.
The two sides will also cooperate on strategic areas, including artificial intelligence, climate change, and resource scarcity.
Al-Zaidi reaffirmed support for Iraq’s Higher Committee for Education Development scholarship program and plans to expand the list of French universities available to Iraqi students.
The two sides also welcomed the opening of the Shingal (Sinjar) French Medical Center and reaffirmed cooperation in humanitarian and development fields.
FYI
Iraq and France signed a bilateral strategic partnership agreement in 2023. The agreement is expected to be ratified by Iraq after its earlier ratification by France.
France has supported Iraq in areas including the fight against ISIS, reconstruction, cultural heritage preservation and development.
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