Fuad Hussein: Our Foreign Policy is Based on Creating Balance and Calm and keeping Iraq from Conflicts and Wars

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, Mr. Fuad Hussein delivered a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy of the Croatian Foreign Ministry in the capital Zagreb, on October 22, 2024.

The State Secretary in the Croatian Foreign Ministry Ms. Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, started the event by presenting a brief of Minister Fuad Hussein’s political career, praising his role in developing Iraqi foreign policy.

During the lecture the Minister referred to the importance of his meetings with the Croatian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, describing them as productive and constructive. The Minister indicated that these meetings set clear goals to strengthen bilateral relations between Iraq and Croatia, noting that the future cooperation will not be limited to governments only, but will extend to include the private sector as well.

The Minister affirmed that Iraq aspires to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, especially since it is a major oil country producing about 4.2 million barrels per day, and about one million barrels of the total product is consumed locally. The Minister added that Iraq will soon become a gas-producing country, and has vast oil reserves, which put it in the second place after Saudi Arabia, in terms of oil reserves. 

Additionally the Minister reviewed the tourism and agricultural potential that Iraq enjoys du to to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, noting that Iraq can be a prominent tourist destination because of its ancient historical landmarks, and holy religious places that attract between eight and ten million visitors annually. 

The Minister touched on the security challenges that Iraq faced, highlighting its battle with Da’esh, who controlled the third of Iraq’s land at an earlier stage, affirming  that the combined efforts of the Iraqi people with all its components, along with international support, played a crucial role in eliminating terrorism, noting that Iraq has witnessed remarkable stability since 2017, with the government focusing on building the economy and enhancing security and peace. 

Furthermore, the Minister expressed his concern regarding the crisis situation in the region, especially the war in Gaza and Lebanon, warning of the threats of expanding the scope of war to other countries, which could lead to a threat to regional and international security and peace, indicating that the continuation of these wars will have serious repercussions on the global economy, citing the Ukrainian crisis that led to an increase in energy and food prices. 

The Minister pointed out that Iraq adopts a policy of balance and calm in the region, stressing that his country participated in mediation efforts between many countries, and became part of the solution in the region. The Minister highlighted the importance of achieving peace and stability, stressing that Iraq, after decades of wars, is now seeking to establish security and peace, especially since many generations of Iraqis grew up in the shadow of wars and conflicts. 

At the end of his lecture, the Minister called on the international community to intensify its efforts to stop the wars in the region, warning of the economic and political consequences if the conflicts continue, and stressing that Iraq will continue its active role in pursuit of peace and stability.