Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and French President Emmanuel Macron presided over the signing ceremony for six significant memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between Iraq and France on Monday. The ceremony, which took place at the €°lys©e Palace in Paris, marked a step forward in strengthening bilateral relations across multiple sectors.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the agreements were formalized in a series of declarations and protocols that underscore both countries’ commitment to economic cooperation. The six MOUs span a variety of fields including defense, youth and innovation, energy, and transportation. Notably, a Letter of Intent was signed between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and Harmattan AI, focusing on strategic cooperation in air defense, which highlights the growing ties in military collaboration.
Further agreements include a Declaration of Intent between the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, aimed at securing French military equipment as part of Iraq’s defense rebuilding efforts. In the realm of youth and innovation, a partnership was forged between the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to enhance opportunities for young people and support research initiatives.
Additionally, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its French counterpart have agreed on strengthening their partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), which will likely facilitate further developmental initiatives. A Cooperation Protocol concerning a gas supply contract was inked between the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity and TotalEnergies, reflecting a deepening energy collaboration. Finally, a Declaration of Intent on cooperation in civil aviation was established between the transportation ministries of both nations, signaling enhanced connectivity and transportation links.
These agreements are expected to bolster Iraq’s development trajectory while simultaneously reinforcing France’s strategic partnerships in the Middle East.