Deputy Head of Europe Department heads Iraqi delegation at third round meeting of Cooperation and Partnership Committee between Iraq and European Union

The Deputy Head of Europe Department, Counselor Wissam Waled Al-Qaisi, headed on Wednesday 15/9/2021 the Iraqi delegation at the meeting of the third round of the Cooperation and Partnership Committee between Iraq and the European Union, via video conference technology.

The delegation of the European Union was headed by Mr. Karl Hallegaard, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department in the European Union.

Representatives from the Iraqi side where from the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the Ministries of Trade, Oil, and the Department of International Organizations and Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.

And from the European side, representatives of the departments and sections of the European Union, and the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Brussels and the European Union Mission in Baghdad also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the two sided praised the high-level visits made by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to the European Union in Brussels and the visit of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr. Joseph Borrell to Baghdad.

The Iraqi side also praised the partnership and strategic relations with the European Union, and indicated that the continuation of cooperation at this level will enhance the prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

The Iraqi side expressed the importance of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Iraq and the European Union, as it represents a legal basis and a practical and constructive mechanism to promote the achievement of common interests between the two sides.

They discussed the results and outcomes of the meetings of the sub-committees emanating from the agreement, which include (the Trade and Investment Committee, the Democracy and Human Rights Committee, and the Energy and Transport Committee).

The European delegation also addressed during the meeting confirming its support to the Iraqi elections to be held next October, by sending international observers to the polling stations.

The two sides also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and partnership in the fields of development and sustainable development, and preparing for holding meetings of the Cooperation Council and the Partnership between Iraq and the European Union.