Baghdad: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, received today, Monday, the Italian Ambassador to Iraq, Nicolo Fontana, along with his accompanying delegation. Tamim emphasized the significance of Iraqi-Italian relations, noting their steady growth over recent decades, and expressed Iraq’s intent to further develop these strategic relations based on mutual respect and trust, serving the interests of both nations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and addressing climate change. Discussions included leveraging Italian expertise to advance Iraq’s agricultural sector and exploring investment opportunities in infrastructure, particularly in roads and transportation. Additionally, the dialogue addressed unresolved issues related to Iraqi funds owed by Italian companies from contracts predating 2003, with both parties agreeing to continue efforts to resolve these matters and strengthen cooperation.