President: France Is An Important Partner For Iraq

Baghdad / NINA / - The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, received, at Baghdad Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting Iraq to participate in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. A presidential statement said: "The two presidents held a session of bilateral talks that dealt with the solid Iraqi-French relations and ways to develop them, as well as discussing developments on the Arab and international arenas." President Barham Salih said, in a joint press conference with President Macron: "We are pleased to receive the friend of Iraq, President Macron, and it is an opportunity to affirm our appreciation for France's support for the Iraqi people to liberate themselves from tyranny and combat terrorism and extremism through the international coalition against ISIS." He added: "France remains a supporter of Iraq to complete the war on terrorism and secure stability and peace in the region. It is an economic and commercial partner and a contributor to the reconstruction of Iraq. Today, economic partnership contracts with French companies in the fields of energy and trade will be confirmed." He pointed out: "President Macron's participation in the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership is important," pointing out: "Iraq, which for years has been a subject of conflict, is where the region's leaders and representatives meet today to affirm Iraq's support, independence and prosperity, and in that is a common interest for all the countries and peoples of the region." President Barham Salih stressed: "An independent, sovereign, and secure Iraq with its people and neighbors is a cornerstone of a regional system based on common interests, security, combating extremism and terrorism, integration and cooperation among our peoples." He noted that there are many serious challenges facing Iraq and the region and must be jointly confronted by the countries of the region and the international community, most notably the fight against terrorism, the establishment of peace in the region and facing the repercussions of dangerous climate changes. For his part, President Macron praised, during the press conference, the role of the President of the Republic in establishing stability in Iraq, stressing: "France will remain by Iraq's side in its battle against terrorism, and we are committed to this, along with cooperation in the field of reconstruction and the return of displaced persons through education and health projects." The French president added: "There are other challenges facing Iraq and the region, represented by severe climate changes, and we commend your work in this regard, and your work and the work of the government in responding to the requirements of the Iraqi people and their economic growth, improving methods of good governance and preparing for free and fair elections, and this is real progress." President Macron indicated: “The convening of the Baghdad conference today is a victory for Iraq, and it is a commendable effort and a source of pride for the Iraqi people. It will set a framework for the stability and sovereignty of Iraq, the continuation of the war on terrorism, and the advancement of economic projects, and our goal today is to continue dialogue, build sustainable peace and seek to reduce tensions when necessary, build frameworks for cooperation in infrastructure and combat climate change./ End