Baghdad: Head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, received the Ambassador of the French Republic to Iraq, Patrick Durel, in his office today to discuss the enhancement of bilateral relations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting commenced with discussions on Iraqi-French relations, focusing on developing and strengthening these ties, particularly in economic, security, and cultural domains. The conversation also covered the latest developments in Iraq’s political and security landscape and broader regional issues.

Al-Maliki emphasized Iraq’s historical ties with France and expressed a keen interest in fortifying these relationships across various sectors. He highlighted the importance of establishing multiple investment and economic partnerships that would benefit both nations and their citizens.

Addressing the ongoing challenges in the Middle East, al-Maliki noted the significant and dangerous challenges in the region, citing issues in Syria with terrorist groups targeting minorities and ongoing aggression by Israel against Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. He urged the international community to work towards crisis containment without partiality.

Ambassador Durel reaffirmed France’s interest in Iraq’s progress towards unity and stability. He emphasized France’s commitment to fostering strong, friendly relations with all Iraqis and its dedication to enhancing the frameworks of joint cooperation between the two nations.