EU Ambassador In Iraq: Britain's Leave Out Of The EU Would Not Affect Its Work In Iraq

BAGHDAD / NINA / The ambassador of the EU in Iraq Patrick Simonnet stressed that "/: Britain's withdrawal from the EU will not affect its work in Iraq and the level of its activities. He told the National Iraqi News Agency / NINA / that "European companies are eager to invest in Iraq, especially in areas that enjoy stability and security, especially Basra," noting that "some companies are considering offers to invest in various activities including energy." He added that "there are aspects hinder European companies to invest, especially the security side and laws that restrict access to investment," calling on the Iraqi side to "take the initiative to facilitate the procedures related to the entry of European investments to the country." He noted that the "first tasks is to clarify the image that companies can understand the reality in Iraq before going to invest where there are many opportunities the companies can access to work in Iraq." He explained that "the EU will contribute effectively to alleviate the suffering of displaced and has recently provided more than 120 million Euros in kind and cash assistance to support humanitarian programs for the displaced as well as other grants that offer to promote government policies in its educational programs, educational and development." About Britain's leave from the Schengen and its impact on its mission in Iraq, Simonnet confirmed that "there are countries more effective than Britain in the European Union's activities like Germany and France and its withdrawal would not affect the work of the Union in Iraq and the level of its activities will evolve certainly for the better as long as there is a desire of the two parties to promote this cooperation, ". / end