Baghdad: Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Ahmed Al-Asadi, engaged in discussions with French Ambassador Patrick Durel on Thursday to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation between Iraq and France in the fields of social protection, empowering vulnerable groups, and supporting the labor market.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting underscored Iraq’s longstanding relationship with France, which has evolved significantly since 2003, particularly due to France’s supportive role in combating terrorism and aiding development efforts in Iraq. Minister Al-Asadi expressed aspirations to broaden collaborative efforts with France, focusing on areas such as social protection, empowerment of individuals with disabilities, and work environment development. He emphasized the Ministry’s eagerness to leverage France’s expertise in these domains.

The discussion also highlighted the status of centers for women victims of violence in Iraq. These centers, established with support from France and the United Nations Population Fund in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Anbar, are currently awaiting the requisite legal framework for operation. Minister Al-Asadi has initiated the formation of a joint committee between the Ministry and the French Embassy to visit these centers. He further mentioned the Ministry’s plans to submit a draft law on victims of violence to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, which will subsequently be presented to Parliament for approval.

In response, French Ambassador Patrick Durel affirmed France’s commitment to bolstering economic ties with Iraq, especially in the labor sector, amidst Iraq’s ongoing development and project implementation phase. He highlighted the keen interest of French businesses in the Iraqi market and assured that French companies are prepared to actively participate in development projects within the country.