Minister of Foreign Affairs meets European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration

On 10/05/2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, met on the sidelines of his participation in the Brussels VI Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Ms Ylva Johansson. During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the European Union and ways to enhance them in all areas of common interest.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the latest developments and measures taken by the Iraqi government in respect of repatriation for Iraqis wishing to return voluntarily to their homeland, confirming the importance of continuing the existing migration dialogue with the European side, and supporting programmes to encourage the voluntary return of Iraqis whose applications were rejected in European countries through Preparing special programmes to rehabilitate the returnees and their reintegration into their communities of origin.

The Minister also gave an overview of the steps taken by the Iraqi government to curb smuggling networks and the role of national authorities to raise community awareness as far as the issue of migration is concerned.

On her part, Johansson emphasized the depth and strength of the relations between the two sides, commending Iraq’s role in eliminating ISIS, stating  the importance that the European Union attaches to the topic of cooperation and partnership with Iraq, and its desire for stability and keenness to deepen the relations between the two sides, commending Iraq’s efforts in cooperation with the European Union to curb illegal migration and limit its serious consequences and the Iraqi government’s response to combat smuggling networks and providing everything necessary for the voluntary return of migrants. She regarded this as a model for cooperation in the field of migration.