Iraqi President Salih Meets France's Macron: France Is an Important Partner for Iraq, and a Secure and Stable Iraq Is an Essential Building Block for New Regional Order Based on Common Security and Economic Interdependence

On Saturday, August 28, 2021, the President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih met with the French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Iraq to attend the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. The Meeting was held at Baghdad Palace.
President Salih and France's Macron discussed the deep relations of friendship between the two countries, and how to advance these in the ways that serve the both nations' ties.
Meeting participants also discussed recent developments related-matters in the Arab and International situation.
It is our pleasure to have you among as here in Baghdad as a friend of Iraq, President Macron, and it is, also opportunity to reiterate our appreciation to the France for supporting the Iraqi to guarantee freedom from tyranny and to fight against terrorism and extremism within international coalition against IS, this was said by President Salih in a joint press conference held with French President Emmanuel Macron.
 The Iraqi President underlined that France remains supportive of Iraq until the last remaining cells of the terrorists are completely defeated and until the war has been put out, and it is therefore, peace, security and stability would be ensured in the region.
France is a significant economic and commercial partner, and contributes to Iraq's reconstruction, he said.
Today, our economic partnership contracts with French companies in the fields of energy and trade will be emphasized, he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron's attendance to Baghdad Summit for Cooperation and Partnership is very important, President Salih underscored, while noting Iraq that had been for years a battleground for disputes and conflicts for various different agendas turned out into a place of gathering regional leaders and their representatives those who reaffirm their support for independent, sovereign and prosperous Iraq, in which the common interest will be prevailed over all the region.
Moreover, he emphasized that an independent sovereign secure Iraq that respects and peacefully deals with its people, and has good-neighborly relations with its neighborhood is a key pillar for establishing new regional order based on common security interests of all, combating terrorism and extremism as well as having further integration and collaboration between all the Sates of the region and their peoples.
There are many enormous challenges facing Iraq and the region that should be tackled, President Salih highlighted, and regional and international efforts are also required to deal with.
These included the fight against terrorism, bring about peace and security in the region and addressing the implications of the climate change, he added.
President Macron, in turn, hailed President Salih's role to rebuild stability in Iraq, and emphasized that France remains fully committed to standing beside Iraq in the fight against terror as we are committed to doing so, with focus on participating in the reconstruction's Iraq and ensuring that the IDPs are allowed to return to their homes as well as rebuilding education and health projects.
Furthermore, he said that there are additional challenges, facing Iraq and the region as well, such as extreme climate change.
But, Your Excellency efforts regarding climate change are commended, he asserted.
Additionally, Your Excellency's work and Government's obligation to work towards meeting the Iraqi people's demands, promoting economic growth, improving good governance and creating the right conditions to ensure that elections are fair and free are also appreciated for being seen by the world as real progress, France's Macron, said.
The French President underlined that holding the Baghdad Conference Today, is the victory of Iraq, and it is a commendable effort, and is something to be proud of, and will place Iraq on the right track to be a stable, sovereign and secure country.
Nevertheless, the war against terror will be continued, and economic projects will be promoted, he said.
Our purpose today is to have further dialogue, build sustainable and lasting peace, and seek to ease tensions "where necessary", with focus on building cooperative frameworks on infrastructure developments and addressing climate change, he added.

  Media Office of the Presidency

 

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