Baghdad: Experts in political, economic, and security affairs confirmed that the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi to France and Germany is gaining importance on several levels, foremost among them expanding economic and investment partnerships, attracting major companies to work in promising sectors, developing cooperation in the fields of energy, electricity, oil, technology, education, transportation, and infrastructure, and strengthening political, security, and defense relations with European countries.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the tour represents an opportunity to advance relations with Paris and Berlin toward broader avenues of bilateral cooperation, especially in light of Iraq’s efforts to build new partnerships and benefit from European expertise and companies. Meanwhile, Iraqi government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi confirmed that the tour aims to transform shared understandings into implementation pathways and practical partnerships.

Al-Aboudi told INA: ‘Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi is preparing to conduct an official visit early next week to both the French Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany at the head of a high-ranking official delegation, in response to two official invitations that came in the context of mutual keenness to develop Iraqi-European relations.’

He added: ‘The European tour includes presidential discussions on developing bilateral cooperation in the economic, investment, trade, energy, industry, and technology fields, as well as the cultural and educational fields, in addition to political and security files and regional and international issues of common interest.’

He continued: ‘Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi is keen, through this visit, to strengthen Baghdad’s relations with Paris and Berlin and push them toward advanced levels of economic and development partnership, and to open new horizons for French and German companies to contribute to projects and investment opportunities that embody the Iraqi government’s vision and program to diversify the economy and develop the productive and service sectors.’

He stated: ‘The visit aims to transform joint understandings into implementation pathways and practical partnerships that contribute to achieving mutual interests and support Iraq’s direction toward attracting investments and qualitative expertise in priority sectors.’

He pointed out that ‘the European tour comes within the government’s approach based on expanding international partnerships and building balanced external relations based on common interests, and employing these relations to support stability and development and enhance Iraq’s position and role regionally and internationally.’

For his part, Hussein Allawi, an expert in political and strategic affairs, confirmed to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that ‘Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s visit to Germany and France is very important, considering that they are part of the European Union.’

He added: ‘The Prime Minister will invite French and German companies to work in Iraq and invest in its promising sectors, and this is what makes the visit multidisciplinary, whether in the political, economic, investment, energy, education, culture, and antiquities fields.’

He continued: ‘The visit comes as the first visit to European Union countries, following foreign visits by the Iraqi government to exchange political, economic, investment, defense, and security views.’

He pointed out that ‘the political track of the visit is important to introduce the government’s internal and external political programs aimed at strengthening foreign relations and developing national policies.’

Allawi stated that ‘relations between Iraq and Germany have witnessed development in the field of energy, especially with Siemens and other companies,’ pointing out that ‘Iraqi relations with France and Germany focus mainly on the defense level after the end of the international coalition’s tasks and the transition to joint bilateral relations.’

He continued: ‘As for Germany, we find Iraqi-German relations in continuous progress, with a focus on moving toward joint economic relations in the fields of investment, finance, technology, energy, electricity, and education.’

He added: ‘Iraqi-French economic relations are particularly focused on the energy and oil sector and French companies operating in Iraq, including TotalEnergies, in addition to French companies seeking to work in Iraq to develop the transportation, communications, and infrastructure sectors, as well as expanding scholarships for Iraqi students.’

He noted that ‘France has contributed to developing Iraqi Armed Forces programs through training, capacity building, and cooperation in armament, as well as by bolstering Iraq’s air defense, air force, and other military branches to enhance the armed forces’ capabilities.’

He further explained that French archaeological missions play a role in developing Ministry of Culture personnel in fields such as archaeology, excavation, and cultural exchange, alongside the development of media institutions and joint cooperation between Iraq and France.

For his part, political analyst Nabil Al-Azzawi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that ‘Al-Zaidi’s visit comes amid current regional circumstances and shifts, including the ongoing conflict between the United States and the Islamic Republic, as well as various economic crises.’

He added that ‘this visit aims to forge new partnerships-not merely economic, but also security-related-given our need for countries that are advanced in security and economics, and the need for a fresh vision.’

He pointed out that ‘after September 30, our relationship with the US side will shift from a unilateral to a bilateral basis. Consequently, we will establish partnerships with major powers-most notably Germany and France, alongside other European and Gulf nations.’

Al-Azzawi highlighted that ‘Iraq is embarking on a crucial economic initiative: the Development Road project. This project requires the involvement of major countries like France and Germany.’

He added that ‘the visit’s significance also lies in the vision for a ‘New Iraq’-a nation grounded in an economic, political, and security philosophy that relies on such partners. There is a consensus among all political entities regarding this vision: that Iraq in 2026 is not the Iraq of 2014, nor is it an Iraq defined by crises.’

He emphasized that ‘there must be economic partnerships based on mutual understanding and sustainability, as well as a new vision,’ noting that ‘in the past, Iraq failed to capitalize on the potential available in many sectors due to the absence of major corporations.’

He added that ‘Iraq requires such giant companies to ensure effective employment and deliver the services citizens need,’ stressing that ‘these visits will undoubtedly usher in a new phase in Iraq’s modern history.’

For his part, security expert Sarmad Al-Bayati told INA: ‘Relations with the European Union are generally positive-particularly regarding the future-as there will be significant cooperation between Iraq and the EU.’

He added: ‘Regarding France and Germany, we maintain strong ties with France and are engaged in discussions with major companies in the oil and gas sector-notably the French firm TotalEnergies-as well as regarding the Al-Faw Port project.’

He continued: ‘In the military sphere, French forces are conducting training operations,’ noting that ‘in Germany, we will also address a crucial issue: electricity. As you know, Germany is home to Siemens, one of the world’s largest companies.’

On the economic front, economic expert Mustafa Akram Hantoush told INA: ‘The Prime Minister’s visit to France and Germany-the two largest countries in the European Union-will yield excellent results.’

He added: ‘These countries are seeking long-term partnerships regarding issues such as oil procurement, trade, and other matters integral to the bilateral relationship.’ He noted that ‘concluding agreements with these countries regarding electricity, the import of certain materials, and other areas-particularly with companies like Siemens-is a positive step that could open up new horizons for Iraq.’

Hantoush concluded by saying: ‘I believe there is a new opening, and I anticipate that a number of memoranda will be signed in the energy sector and other fields.’