Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Inaugurates First Consular Cooperation Forum

On Sunday, July 21, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein, inaugurated the First Consular Cooperation Forum, organized by the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department. The forum was attended by Head of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Ms. Dylan Ghafoor Salih, several government and Kurdistan Regional Government representatives, and heads of Arab and foreign missions in Iraq.

The Minister gave a speech in which he welcomed the attendees, stressing that holding this forum will strengthen diplomatic relations and cooperation in the field of consular work, in addition to supporting friendship ties and understanding between Iraq and the international community, stating that the Ministry seeks to discuss the best ways to develop and improve consular services for the interests of all, and strengthens bilateral relations with friendly and brotherly countries. As well the Minister indicated that the government’s direction aims to achieve the highest levels of efficiency in services provided to its citizens, including consular services, and to benefit from successful international experiences to support the principle of reciprocity, which represents the cornerstone of cooperation between countries. 

The speech also indicated that global acceleration increases the challenges of countries in providing consular services, emphasizing the importance of joint coordination to overcome the obstacles they face and protect the rights and interests of their countries’ nationals. The Minister called on consuls in diplomatic missions to interact constructively through this forum and exchange ideas and experiences, to build a strong network of consular cooperation that serves the interests of peoples and enhance the ties of communication and joint cooperation.

The need for this forum to be a positive step to pave the way for subsequent steps that would consolidate the roots of diplomatic relations was underlined by the Minister. As well the forum witnessed the holding of two panel discussion on the tasks and relations with missions and their support, with the participation of Interior and Justice Ministries and the Supreme Judicial Council.