Foreign Ministry Official Spokesman Dr. Ahmed Al-Sahaf:

⁃The topics of discussion of Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein with his French counterpart, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian in Baghdad

⁃   The Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein held in-depth discussions with the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, which focused on various issues of common interests to both countries. Emphasis was placed on building a real strategic partnership between Baghdad and Paris in respect for Iraqi sovereignty, and making this relation a factor of balance and stability in the Middle East.

⁃   The health file and facing the viral pandemic was present in the bilateral discussions, and Mr. Le Drian expressed his country's readiness to provide more support in dealing with this pandemic revealing the delivery of French medical equipment soon to Iraq in this field. 

⁃   The talks dealt with - on the security level - the two sides affirmed their insistence on preserving the gains made in the war against Da’esh, and welcomed the high coordination in the field of security cooperation, and the desire to develop it further.
⁃   Mr. Le Drian praised the great sacrifices made by Iraq in its war against Da’esh terrorist organization, and welcomed the initial results of the operations (the heroes of Iraq) launched by the Iraqi security forces.

⁃   On the regional level, the French Foreign Minister expressed his country's support for Iraq in its efforts to play a balanced role in the Middle East region, and its confidence in its ability to contribute fully to achieving regional stability.

⁃   Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein stated that Iraq wants to establish peaceful relations with all countries of the region, calling for Iraq to be a meeting place for cooperation, not for confrontation.

⁃   On the level of economic cooperation, France expressed its assurance that it will continue its financial support for Iraq to restore stability in the liberated areas from Da’esh , and support the government's efforts in the reconstruction process, and its desire to implement reforms that meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people.

⁃    The two sides agreed on the importance of achieving a strategic economic partnership between the two countries, and that France implements important projects as quickly as possible in Iraq, especially in the transportation, energy, water, and e-government projects.

⁃   On the cultural and scientific levels, the two countries praised the activity of bilateral cooperation in this field through the university scholarship program, and the implementation of important projects in the north of the country in the city of Mosul, the university will be transformed to be a digital university. Bilateral cooperation between Baghdad and Paris in the scientific field witnessed an expansion that included areas in southern Iraq through ambitious projects, as well as the French Institute in Baghdad, as it is an important place for dialogue and support for Iraqi creativity, and a fundamental pillar of youth and their aspirations, and works to expand its activities to include all regions of Iraq by developing its cultural programs  and digital education.